Notts: County takes a stand on hate crime

Police and council bosses have warned that hate crime will not be tolerated across the county.
Councillor Roy Allan, Nottinghamshire County Council Chairmans escort; Tom Huggon, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire; Councillor Joyce Bosnjak, Deputy Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council; Nottinghamshire Police Deputy Chief Constable, DCC Sue Fish; Councillor Pauline Allan, Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Paddy Tipping, with the Rainbow FlagCouncillor Roy Allan, Nottinghamshire County Council Chairmans escort; Tom Huggon, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire; Councillor Joyce Bosnjak, Deputy Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council; Nottinghamshire Police Deputy Chief Constable, DCC Sue Fish; Councillor Pauline Allan, Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Paddy Tipping, with the Rainbow Flag
Councillor Roy Allan, Nottinghamshire County Council Chairmans escort; Tom Huggon, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire; Councillor Joyce Bosnjak, Deputy Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council; Nottinghamshire Police Deputy Chief Constable, DCC Sue Fish; Councillor Pauline Allan, Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Paddy Tipping, with the Rainbow Flag

This week public, private and voluntary sector organisations in Notts joined together to make a stand against all forms of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, and have started a new campaign.

Notts Police, Notts Fire, East Midlands Ambulance Service, Notts County Council, Notts City Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner raised the Rainbow Flag at a ceremony at County Hall on Monday 11th May.

The ceremony launched a series of events across the county in the run up to the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia on Sunday 17th May.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Paddy Tipping, said: “Hate crime, in its many forms, can cause deep distress and fear. This is a disgusting crime that really impacts on the quality of people’s lives and is usually driven by hostility, prejudice or hatred. It is the responsibility of all of us, not only to support and encourage people to report it, but also to challenge this poor behaviour.”

To coincide with the event, Notts Police is launching a campaign to encourage people to report hate crime and setting up a new North Notts LGBT Independent Advisory group.

Ted Antill,the lead for hate crime at Notts Police, said: “We take all reports of hate crime extremely seriously. We work very closely with our partners and have recently appointed a dedicated hate crime manager to the force, which will be funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner.”

“We want the public to know you should not tolerate hate crime, so please report every incident to us. We will listen to your concerns and work with you to stop it from happening again.”

Coun Alan Rhodes, leader of Notts County Council, said: “One of the county council’s core values is ‘treating people fairly’ and we passionately believe that no-one should be discriminated against for their sexual orientation or because of their gender identity.”

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