Hate crime tackled online

A local victim of vandalism has praised the effectiveness of the online crime reporting facility set up by Herts police.

The Brookmans Park resident, a regular user of this site, wanted to remain anonymous, but asked for details of the facility to be publicised on the site.

Following a vandalism attack on his property recently, he visited the Herts Police website and found his way to the ‘hate crime’ section of the site.

Within 24-hours, he had met and spoken to an officer and the incident was being investigated by police.

"It was a very effective, simple and painless procedure and more people, particularly those who might be afraid of picking up a phone, need to know such a facility exists," he said.

The Herts police site has a simple form for people to fill in and submit online. Once that form is received and processed an officer will contact the victim and the matter is dealt with.

The site has the following definition of hate crime which, Herts Police say, does not necessarily have to include a conventional criminal act:

"Any incident which appears to be related to an individual because of who they are or what they believe in. Hertfordshire Constabulary is committed to giving all victims of crime a professional and sensitive service."

It can include disputes with neighbours, bullying or abusive remarks and, police say, if not dealt with, can damage entire communities. Police say hate crime can take many forms:

Physical attacks, being assaulted
Harassment
Threats
Disputes with your neighbours
People swearing at you or making abusive remarks
People doing things that frighten, intimidate or distress you
Bullying at school or college
Arson
Spitting, insulting gestures.

For those not able to access a computer, Herts police say people can report hate crime in other ways.

People can phone (01707-638100) or visit their local police station.

They can also contact the local hate crime officer or contact other reporting centres throughout the county.

If people are reporting a general, non-emergency crime, that does not come under the hate crime category, they are encouraged to use the national online reporting facility.

Police say they take hate crime seriously and treat them as a priority, helping the victim identify what happened and make sure appropriate action is taken.

Hate crime officers do not wear uniforms and will arrange to meet the victim at a place of their choice.

The local hate crime officers are Alison Begley (01727 796024) and Norma Wright (01727 796085).

There are other agencies working to combat hate crime, including Victim Support.

This item has been added, as stated above, following a request by a regular user of this site who wished to remain anonymous, but who felt others might benefit from knowing about this online facility.

You can discuss crime issues in this site's forum.

17 March 2003

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