Tower Hamlets is celebrating National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2017, which runs from 14to 21 October, with a programme of events for staff and residents.
The week aims to spread a message of H.O.P.E. across the UK. H.O.P.E stands for Hate crime awareness, Operational response to hate crime, Preventing hate crime and Empowering communities to report hate crime and access victim support services.
The council, police, Tower Hamlets Homes, partners and hate crime champions who are trained to tackle hate crime are also working together to deliver an awareness raising roadshow across the borough.
John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: I am very pleased to support National Hate Crime Awareness Week. Tower Hamlets Council works very closely with police and partner agencies to tackle and prevent hate crime.
We do a great deal of work to champion our diversity and to make it clear that there is No Place for Hate in Tower Hamlets. Diversity is one of our greatest strengths.
Councillor Asma Begum, Cabinet Member for Community Safety added: We want to do all we can to support people who are affected by hate crime and hate related incidents. In Tower Hamlets, we are proud say that we are a united community where there is no place for hate.
The programme:
On Monday 16 October the roadshow is at Idea Store Watney Market from 9.30am to 12.30pm.
On Tuesday 17 October it’s at Idea Store Whitechapel from 2pm – 4pm.
On Wednesday 18 October, a special awareness raising session is being held for students at Central Foundation Secondary School.
On Thursday 19 October, the roadshow is at Idea Store Bow from 9.30am – 12.30pm.
On Friday 20 October, it’s at Idea Store Chrisp Street.
To date, 2075 residents have supported the No Place for Hate pledge. To give support, go to: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/NPFH
National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2017 evolved out of the London vigils against Hate Crime that took place between October 2009 to October 2012.
The first London Vigil against Hate Crime took place on the 30th October 2009 after the death of Ian Baynham, over 10,000 people attended the first vigil in Trafalgar Square.
In 2012, Mark Healey (founder of 17-24-30 No To Hate Crime Campaign) launched the idea of holding a National Hate Crime Awareness Week.
To report hate crime, call the non-emergency number on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
– Press realise
