Watford and Three Rivers Black History Month 2024

Throughout October, officers and staff in Watford and Three Rivers joined with partners and local communities to celebrate Black History Month and educate residents about hate crime.

Local officers started Black History Month celebrations by attending an event run by Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust at Stanborough Park in St Albans Road, Watford. The event saw a variety of organisations come together to celebrate with delicious African and Caribbean food, dance performances and speakers.

Watford and Three Rivers Hate Crime Officer PC Danielle Murphy and PCSO Sadqain Butt attended Watford FC CSE Trust to join the Golden Memories group in an African drumming workshop.

The group meet weekly in the sensory room at Watford FC for physical and mental wellbeing sessions, to support those living with dementia and their carers and loved ones. PC Murphy spoke to attendees and their carers about her role, why it is important to report hate crimes and understand who can be a victim of these crimes.

Hate crimes include assaults, threats or acts of vandalism, or any other crime committed against someone because of their disability, race, religion, transgender identity or sexual orientation.

PC Gary Wallington and PCSO John Diaz from Three Rivers, along with PC Murphy attended the Northwood Headquarters for a coffee morning. PC Wallington and PCSO Diaz are familiar faces at the military base which they visit every Wednesday and have built up a strong relationship with many of the personnel who work there.

 

As part of ongoing work to raise awareness, officers also visited Watford General Hospital to speak to NHS staff about hate crime. They encouraged colleagues to report any incidents to police and management at the hospital.

Officers held a drop-in session at the Three Rivers District Council offices to share knowledge and educate colleagues on Black heritage, culture and hate crime, as well as discussing local issues.

PC Murphy spoke at the Unity Through Diversity event organised by the Watford African Caribbean Association and Ngorli Community Interest Company (CIC). This event brought together members from the Nigerian Association, Ghanaian United Watford Association, Kenyan Women in Herts, Asanteman Association, Imatter CIC, Watford councillors and Watford police cadets. 

Together, they celebrated Black History Month with singing, dancing and thought-provoking speeches from members of the various organisations.

PC Murphy’s speech emphasised the importance of having Hate Crime Officers within the constabulary and why it is vital to educate people on hate crime, supporting those from protected characteristic communities.

PC Murphy said: “As October comes to an end, it’s been fantastic celebrating Black History Month with our diverse communities in Watford and Three Rivers and raising awareness of hate crime. However, our work doesn’t stop here.

“The impact of a hate crime on someone can be devastating and it is not tolerated in Hertfordshire. The constabulary has specialist hate crime officers like me who tackle and challenge these incidents, educate people and support those who have been affected.

“We are also committed to building and maintaining positive relationships with all our communities in Watford and Three Rivers.

"It’s been a privilege to attend so many events throughout the month and I’d like to thank everyone who has invited us along. We will continue to work closely with our communities all year round to ensure they have a voice and are listened to.”

You can report hate crime online.

Speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat.

Call the non-emergency number 101. In an emergency dial 999.

For more information about how and where to report hate crime, visit: Herts Against Hate