Hate crime has no place in Melksham

HATE Crime has no place in Melksham, say police and councillors as they urge people to help crack down on ‘unacceptable’ discrimination in the area.

Wiltshire Police and Melksham Town Council  are clamping down on  hate crime and are appealing to local people to report their concerns.

The police are encouraging people to get in touch with their special hate crime advisors, who offer informal advice and support to people who feel upset or isolated by the way they have been treated.

Hate crime is unacceptable behaviour towards someone based on their race, religion, gender, sexuality or disability.

Leader of Melksham’s Neighbourhood Policing Team and familiar face in the town, Sergeant Kane Fulbrook-Smith said, “Wiltshire Police are dedicated in dealing with hate crime and discriminatory offences robustly, and will not tolerate this type of behaviour.

“Hate crime in Melksham is few and far between. That said, I am sure incidents do go unreported  for the fear of repercussions, embarrassment and lack of confidence in how they are dealt with.

“I strongly urge any victims and witnesses of hate crime to report it immediately and take advantage of the hate crime advisor support scheme. Let’s work together in making those individuals committing such offences accountable for their actions.”

Hate crime advisor PCSO Andrew MacLachlan said, “As advisors we will offer an informal listening ear to victims, with no extra statements or visits to the police station.

“Our focus is on supporting people and showing them what help is available. It is a very well received service and we encourage people to make use of it.”

The advisors have been around for four years and there are now over 30 of them in the county.

A joint statement from Wiltshire Police and Melksham Town Council says, “Wiltshire Police and Melksham Town Council are committed to promoting inclusivity and diversity within our community.

“We aim to reduce the harm caused by hate crime, increase the trust and confidence of victims and work together with partner agencies to identify and prosecute perpetrators of hate crime.

“Nationally, hate crime is under reported and this is much the case in Wiltshire and Swindon.  Wiltshire Police is committed to tackling hate crime and ultimately aims to prevent it. To be successful in achieving our aims we urge the public to contact Wiltshire Police to report crimes and incidents.

“Wiltshire Police need to hear from you to truly understand what is happening in our community, so we can work together with both the public and our partner agencies to understand the nature and extent of hate crime and tackle it.

“Wiltshire Police has specially trained hate crime advisors that will listen to you, help you and signpost you to the most appropriate support networks and services. If you are the victim of a crime Wiltshire Police will also provide you with a single point of contact who will keep you informed on the progress of your investigation.

“A hate crime is any unacceptable behaviour that a person thinks has been caused by the hostility, prejudice or hatred of others against them or their property. This may be because of their race, religion, gender, sexuality or disability.

“We urge the public to contact Wiltshire Police even if they are not the victim but have witnessed any form of hate crime or incident. The more the public can tell Wiltshire Police the more effective we can be together.”

If you have witnessed or been a victim of a hate crime, you can report it via: • Online at www.report-it.org.uk • In an emergency, call 999, or non-emergency, call 101. • Visit a police station or stop a police officer in the street. • Call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or email crimestoppers-uk.org • Call Horizon Victim and Witness Care on 101. • Call Victim Support on 0845 30 30 900.