Minutes:
We received a presentation by PCSO Ruth Moyse of Gwent Police regarding hate crimes and hate incidents. In doing so, the following points were noted:
· Definition of Hate Crime:
- Any incident, which constitutes a criminal offence, perceived by the victim or any other person, as being motivated by prejudice or hate.
- Any incident, which may or may not constitute a criminal offence, which is perceived by the victim or any other person, as being motivated by prejudice or hate.
· The five protected categories are race, religion, disability, sexual orientation and transgender.
· Other types of incidents are ‘mate crime, lifestyle, age and gender.
· Actual examples of hate crimes were provided.
· The effects of hate crime can lead to the victims experiencing thoughts of suicide, fear of being targeted again, shock, anxiety, depression, loss of confidence, difficulty in sleeping, distrust of others and isolation.
· The most common motivating factor in hate crimes recorded by the Police was ‘race’, i.e., 73%.
· The total number of hate crimes in 2015/16 across the whole of Wales was 2,405. 1693 of these crimes occurred in South East Wales.
· There has been a 3% increase in recorded hate crimes across Wales. It is estimated that 48% of hate crimes are going unreported.
· The total number of transgender hate crimes in 2015/16 across the whole of Wales was 35. 24 of these crimes occurred in South East Wales.
· The total number of sexual orientation hate crimes across the whole of Wales was 372. 241 of these crimes occurred in South East Wales.
· The total number of disability hate crimes in 2015/16 across the whole of Wales was 244. 179 of these crimes occurred in South East Wales.
· The total number of religion hate crimes in 2015/16 across the whole of Wales was 119. 80 of these crimes occurred in South East Wales.
· The total number of race hate crimes in 2015/16 across the whole of Wales was 1747. 1245 of these crimes occurred in South East Wales.
· Hate crimes may be reported via the Police, True Vision Cymru, Victim Support and Crime Stoppers.
Having received the presentation, the following points were noted:
· There is legislation to deal with issues of malicious communication on line. If there is a hate element to the crime then the courts can issue enhanced sentences.
· Raising awareness of hate crime is key. Speaking to vulnerable people and letting them know that reporting hate crime is essential, which includes third party reporting of hate crimes.
· Notices outlining who to contact to report a hate crime could be erected in the One Stop Shop and on the electronic notice board within Abergavenny town.
· It was noted that County Councillors dispatch leaflets to local residents and could therefore incorporate information regarding this matter from Gwent Police into their leaflets.
· Gwent Police is one of the few police forces that has hate crime support officers.
· Gwent Police will be holding a hate crime event in October 2017 with a view to taking this event to the four areas of the County. The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Social Justice and Community Development stated that this matter falls within her portfolio as a Cabinet Member and would look to work more closely with Gwent Police regarding hate crime.
On behalf of the Area Committee, the Chair thanked PCSO Ruth Moyse for her presentation.
We resolved to receive the presentation and noted its content.