Welwyn Hatfield officers mark Black History Month 2023
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Throughout October, the Welwyn Hatfield Safer Neighbourhood Team attended local community events to mark Black History Month and show their support to the community.
Amongst the many events attended was the Campus West’s celebration in Welwyn Garden City on Thursday 12 October. Chief Inspector Kash Hussain also went along with the team, chatting to locals about the support the police can offer and learning more about what the Black community want to see from their local officers.
The event included Caribbean food from a local business owner and the attendees could also browse Black History Month community artwork. A steel band added to the fun sense of community spirit!
Meanwhile, on Sunday 15 October, PCSO Anne Devine visited Mill Green Museum for their Windrush event. The event celebrated local black history and included live music, exhibitions, talks and storytimes for children. A particular highlight was getting to see traditional dresses made for the Notting Hill Carnival (pictured).
Again, PCSO Devine was able to chat with the attendees to offer her support and provide reassurance around the work the constabulary is doing to support the Black community.
Another popular event included a football tournament that police organised at the University of Hertfordshire on Monday 23 October. Taking place on College Lane Campus it saw officers participate in matches with the students and they set up a stall with an abundance of useful police information, including crime prevention advice. After the event, the team received some great feedback thanking the police for their efforts to improve the support they give to the Black community.
Chief Inspector Kash Hussain said: “We recognise that there is still a way to go to improving the police’s relationship with the Black community and October provided us with extra opportunities to show our commitment to that.
“We had a great time at these events and I am grateful to everybody who took the time to speak to us and share their views.
“The football tournament was such a success that we are looking to make it a regular event, providing that opportunity for face to face conversation.
“I would also like to remind our Black and Asian communities in Welwyn Hatfield that you are invited to be a part of the constabulary’s Race and Inclusion Board. It gives you the chance to meet every month with senior officers to raise your views on how the constabulary can better support ethnic minorities.
“We are also now looking to set up a young people’s board, so we can learn from the young Black communities, around where we need to improve and how we can do things better.”
For more information about the Race and Inclusion Board, including how to take part, please contact: Chief Inspector Paul Mitson on 01707 354069 or Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Inspector Kelly Day on 01707 354528 or email (opens in a new window).
You can use our community voice platform ‘echo’ to let us know what you think we should be prioritising in your area. Your feedback will help towards shaping our local policing priorities, initiatives and campaigns. Visit the following and tell us your thoughts.
A group photo of officers and students that joined in on the football match at the university
Officers stall with crime prevention advice
PCSO Anne Devine visited Mill Green Museum
