Gwent Police praised for work to tackle hate crime

The report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) released today, Thursday, showed the number of hate crimes reported to police across the UK has nearly doubled from slightly more than 20,000 to 40,000 since 2012 - and now accounts for two per cent of all crimes.

And it held up a number of initiatives run by Gwent Police, including introducing Hate Crime Support Offices, or HCSOs dedicated to contacting victims and providing follow-up support, as good examples of practices which could be adopted by other forces.

The HCSOs are all volunteers from within the force who take on the role on top of their day-to-day duties and are responsible for supporting victims and working with policing team to crack down on hate crime.

The report said: "This is a comprehensive approach to victim care. However, it does require administrative support to enable it to function and make sure that all the volunteer staff remain trained and committed to the role."

Gwent Police's 'cyber CSO' (community support officer) was also praised in the report. This is a member of staff dedicated specifically to supporting the online community in the fight against hate crime.

Gwent Police deputy chief constable Pam Kelly welcomed the report.

“It’s pleasing that HMICFRS has recognised the forward-thinking practice which we have established," she said.

"Hate crime is an abhorrent, complex offence which can impact and divide communities and heighten fear.

"It is completely intolerable in all its guises and we will pursue offenders relentlessly and do all we can to protect victims.

"We hope these findings demonstrate that victims can be confident that they will be supported by Gwent Police at every stage.”

And Gwent's police and crime commissioner Jeff Cuthbert said: “I welcome the findings of the report and want to take this opportunity to stress to the people of Gwent how seriously we take issues of hate crime including mate crime.

"This particular type of crime can have an awful impact on the victims and it cannot be tolerated in any caring and civilised society.

"I continue to urge anyone affected by hate crime to come forward and inform Gwent Police or any other responsible person that they trust so that we can give you the support that you need."

Although the report found examples across the UK of police "dealing professionally, sensitively and effectively with victims", it also found the overall approach to the issue was inconsistent.

It said: "We also found victims who had been let down by the police. And the lack of accurate information about hate crime, specifically in terms of crime recording and the identification of hate crime, makes it difficult for the government, police and crime commissioners, chief constables and victim support groups to have an informed understanding of the nature and scale of hate crime, and how to respond effectively to it.

"Although we found some progress in encouraging victims to report hate crime, and in improving police practice in dealing with it, progress has been too slow."

HMI Wendy Williams, who led this inspection, said: “Hate crime is personal and pervasive, and the police frequently only have just one chance to identify it.

"If the victim is given the right support further offending can be prevented, and a force and national picture of hate crime can be built, allowing wider preventative activity.

“Ultimately, confidence in the police and community cohesion can be strengthened by one well-placed question to a victim about why the perpetrator acted as they did, or weakened by a missed opportunity to properly record that someone was victimised because of their personal circumstances."

The report also said more should be done to encourage hate crime victims to come forward.

Any incidents of hate crime should be reported to police on 101.

Information can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org

In an emergency always dial 999.