Call For Unity Against Hate Crimes

City of Cardiff Council Cabinet Member, Cllr Dan De’Ath has issued an appeal to the communities of Cardiff to come together and unite against racist hate crime. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

A small number of instances of racist hate crime have been reported in the city since the European Referendum result was announced last week and although these are small in number and reflective of incidents reported elsewhere in the UK, they are being taken seriously both by the Council and by South Wales Police. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr De’Ath, who is responsible for Skills, Safety, Democracy and Engagement, said: “The City of Cardiff Council totally abhors the ignorance that underpins racism, and the harm it causes. We have committed ourselves through our Strategic Equality Plan to build strong and cohesive communities where people feel safe and able to celebrate Cardiff’s diversity and to support people to challenge unfair treatment. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Singling a person out as a target for a crime based on an aspect of their identity is a hate crime and it’s completely unacceptable. It’s important that people understand that this offensive behaviour is a crime.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

A hate crime might include verbal abuse, offensive graffiti, threatening behaviour, damage to property, assault, cyber bullying, abusive texts, emails or phone calls, or demanding money. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Council implements the Welsh Government Framework for Tackling Hate Crimes and Incidents and the Community Cohesion National Delivery Plan, and supports mechanisms with partners including South Wales Police, Victim Support and Race Equality First to report and pursue hate crime. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr De’Ath added: “Most hate crimes aren’t reported but reporting makes such a difference as it helps us to understand how communities are affected and how we can tackle the issue by taking action against the culprit and providing support for the victim. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Community leaders can help us by encouraging people to report any instances of hate crime they hear of and promoting local support services and resources.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Anyone in immediate danger is advised to call the Police by dialling 999 (non-emergencies 101). Hate crime can be reported online at https://www.reporthate.victimsupport.org.uk/ or to Victim Support directly 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 0300 30 31 982. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Council’s partner Race Equality First can also provide help and assistance on 02920 486207 or email info@raceequalityfirst.org.uk. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​