Hate Crime Reporting Service Launched

Reporting hate crime in Gateshead is now much easier, thanks to the launch of a new hate crime reporting service today.

Local theatre groups the Lawnmowers and Little Cat, acted out a series of scenarios showing hate crime and its impact on people at the launch to bring the problem to life for an audience of public sector partners.

The system is called Gateshead ARCH and is designed to support victims of hate crime, take action against perpetrators and help to tackle the causes of hate crime and harassment.

It allows a network of organisations including Gateshead Council, Northumbria Police, The Gateshead Housing Company and Victim Support to work together by linking them all with a sophisticated IT system. Victims and witnesses can report incidents of hate crime to any one of the organisations on the system, which allows information to be shared and the right action taken.

Cabinet member for Community Safety at Gateshead Council, Councillor Peter Mole said: "The number of hate crimes reported in Gateshead is very low, but we shouldn't be complacent. We need to recognise that some victims are too scared to report incidents of hate crime, or they don't know what help is available.

"If we know about an incident, it means that not only can we provide support to the victim and take action against the perpetrators, but we can also build up a better picture of the problem across the borough and take appropriate action to tackle the causes.

The system is completely confidential, the person reporting the incident does not have to give their name and they can decide who their information is passed to.

Chief Inspector Peter Storey, Gateshead Area Command, said: "Harassment and hate crime and can take many forms. It can include verbal abuse, physical damage, threats to property or unprovoked physical assaults, but it can also be anything that the victim or another person might think is hate motivated.

"This system has proved very successful elsewhere and we hope here it will also encourage more people to come forward and report incidents of racial abuse or hate crime."

Jimmy McCoy, a victim support worker in Gateshead, also spoke at the event, said, "I work closely with Gateshead people who have been the victims of some sort of hate crime. The impacts of such crime can have a huge impact on a person's confidence and quality of life."

From the 6th October 2010, hate crime incidents can be reported via the 24 hour help line on: 0191 433 2648 or visit designated reporting centres including Gateshead Council and The Gateshead Housing Company offices.

Further information visit www.gateshead.gov.uk/safergateshead or contact Gateshead Council's Community Safety Team on 0191 433 2701.