Preparation for National Hate Crime Awareness Week.
A schizophrenia sufferer has taken police staff through a unique training exercise to improve their understanding around hate crime.
As part of the awareness training, contact centre teams undertook a mock exercise which simulated calling police while hearing voices, something many schizophrenics encounter.
The groups also heard from a transgender person who talked about diversity within the trans community, helped to dispel stereotypes and gave some awareness around dealing with vulnerable members of the community who call to report a hate crime.
The insight which was given to all call centre staff in the run-up to National Hate Crime Awareness Week (12th-18th October) and the opening of the new non-emergency contact centres is part of the commitment to improve the service provided to hate crime victims, from the initial crime report through to the investigation. Adding to this commitment, the police and CPS recently signed a new service level agreement to help victims of Hate Crime from violent and anti-social behaviour.
Superintendent Chris Johnson, lead for Hate Crime at West Midlands Police, said: “Working alongside us, the unique training exercises were the brainchild of the two invitees who have both suffered from hate crime incidents. We have to be able to recognise and deal with a whole range of diversities and illnesses that manifest themselves in different ways.
“Hate crime is any criminal offence committed against a person or property that is motivated by hostility towards someone based on their actual or perceived disability, race, religion, gender identity or sexual orientation, which is a factor in determining who is victimised.”
“West Midlands Police is determined to help people who are suffering as a result of a hate incident. We understand people may feel nervous about reporting it, but we can help. By working with other agencies and local communities our aim is to encourage people to report them.
“The signing of the new service level agreement between West Midlands Police and other regional forces will ensure a joined up approach and minimum standard of investigation ultimately leading to enhanced sentencing.”
Robin Allen, Senior Crown Prosecutor and Hate Crime Lead for West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Unfortunately, a large number of such crimes are still not reported and therefore we are working with our partners in the local criminal justice system to increase prosecutions for hate crimes, but we still rely on people coming forward as victims and witnesses
“Speaking out about such crimes can be daunting, therefore, we offer support to victims and witnesses through Witness Care Officers, whose job is to ensure that people can give their best evidence in court. This might mean helping with arranging things like transport or child care, or asking prosecutors to apply for special measures in court which allow vulnerable or intimidated witnesses to give evidence from behind a screen or via TV link, for example.
“We are determined to get justice in every case we prosecute and, where we have sufficient evidence that a crime was based on hostility towards a person’s disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or age, we will say in court that this is an aggravating factor. This could lead to an increased sentence for the defendant.
“Please do not suffer in silence and report any crimes you experience to the police.”