Rotherham Hospital visitors urged to help fight hate crime

As part of Hate Crime Awareness Week, South Yorkshire Police had a stall at Community Corner in Rotherham Hospital, to make the public aware of the topic. Seen at the stall (left to right) are: PCSO Abby Grzesiek, Tony Bennett, Rotherham Hospital Lead for 'Time To Speak Up' and PCSO Niall Ellison. 184440-2

VISITORS to Rotherham Hospital had the chance to learn more about hate crime and how to report it during an event at the facility’s community corner.

South Yorkshire Police shared information about different types of hate crime and how to report it during Hate Crime Awareness Week.

PCSOs Abby Grzesiek and Niall Ellisan spoke to hospital visitors and gave away wristbands promoting the Hate Hurts campaign which aims to give people the confidence to speak up and report hate crime.

PCSO Grzesiek, who covers Moorgate and Broom, said: “We want people to speak up and say something about hate crime.

“Some people don’t know what hate crime is and some people don’t know the difference between a normal crime and a hate crime.

“We’re telling people that it’s alright to say something and report it to the police and it will be taken seriously.

“A lot of people have gone away learning something today and that’s beneficial for us.

“If there’s more of an awareness about it and people understand what it is they are more open to say something about it.”

PCSO Grzesiek said those who witnessed, or were a victim of a hate crime, had a responsibility to report it.

A hate crime is an incident which is motivated by hositility or prejudice based on someone’s disability, race, religion, transgender identity or sexual orientation.

A hate crime can be reported to South Yorkshire Police on the non-emergency number, 101, or, if someone is in immediate danger, on 999.