Raising awareness of hate crime in Welwyn Hatfield and Hertsmere

Local Hate Crime Officer PC Natasha Redman has been out and about meeting the community to raise awareness of hate crime.

A hate crime is a criminal offence committed against a person or property and motivated by a hatred of their perceived race, colour, ethnic origin or nationality, religion, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Hertfordshire Constabulary has a number of specially trained officers like PC Redman who are there to give specialist support to victims of hate crime. PC Redman is responsible for the Welwyn Hatfield and Hertsmere areas of the county. As part of her role, she helps to raise awareness of hate crime and what the police can do to help victims.

Today (Tuesday 3 June), PC Redman visited pupils at Mount Grace School in Potters Bar where she spoke to Year 7 pupils and explained her role as a Hate Crime Officer. She told them about the help that is available for hate crime victims.

On Friday 23 May, PC Redman visited St Michael’s Primary school in Woolmer Green to give a talk to Year Five about hate crime and the importance of being kind.

On Tuesday 20 May, PC Redman visited an interfaith community group in Welwyn (pictured). PC Redman spoke to the group about what a hate crime is, the law around it and how to report it.

There were a wide variety of faiths represented at the meeting - Baha'i, Methodist Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Roman Catholicism, and Buddhism.

The group were given advice on what to do if they become faced with a hate crime.

PC Redman said: “Hate crime can have a severe impact not just on victims but also on the wider community in which they occur. We want everybody to feel supported by the police so visits like these are really important.

“I gave advice around what to do if you ever become the victim of a hate crime. There is lots of support available and if you don’t feel comfortable making a report to police, you can also speak to Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council or Hertsmere Council. They are third party reporting centres which means they can make a report to police on your behalf.

“The main message for the pupils was simply to be kind and challenge others who are not kind. They were really engaged and asked lots of questions which was great to see.”

For more information and support around hate crime visit Herts against the Hate website.

You can report information hate crime online, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101.

To report a hate crime to Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, you can visit their office in Welwyn Garden City during opening hours and ask to speak to a Hate Crime Champion.

To report a hate crime to Hertsmere Council, please contact [email protected]