Race Hate Public Forum planned for Old Warren
November 20, 2015
Lisburn & Castlereagh Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) in collaboration with local police are hosting a race hate themed public forum at the Lagan View Enterprise Centre, Drumbeg Drive, Lisburn on Thursday 26 November 2015 commencing at 7.00pm. The forum will have inputs from the PSNI, Victim Support and the Welcome House. A facilitator will also be in attendance and will undertake an exercise to challenge perceptions and prejudices on hate crime.
This forum is a continuation of work in this field, facilitated by the PCSP and the police with stakeholders in each of the six areas of hate crime. The objectives of these meetings are to establish the extent of hate crime in the Lisburn & Castlereagh area and to raise awareness, share good practice and increase reporting. Building on the success of these forums, both the PCSP and PSNI were also involved in a recent diversity event with the community association in Seymour Hill and Conway. The PCSP conducted an on-line survey on attitudes towards diversity and making ethnic minorities feel welcome in the area.
Councillor Scott Carson, Chairman of Lisburn & Castlereagh PCSP said “Lisburn & Castlereagh PCSP is delighted to host this public forum. Hate crime of any form is unacceptable and we want to continue to raise awareness and increase reporting. Everyone has a role to play in challenging attitudes of prejudice and hatred. Recent research highlights that under-reporting of hate crime is an issue and victims must feel confident in reporting incidents to the Police. I would encourage attendance at this forum which will raise awareness of racism and I would encourage people to report such crimes and incidents whenever and wherever they occur.”
Superintendent Sean Wright, District Commander for Lisburn and Castlereagh area commented “Police in Lisburn and Castlereagh City are committed to tackling race hate crime and increasing racial awareness and acceptance and treat any reported incident very seriously. Local officers want to work with the entire community to help build confidence within minority ethnic groups to ensure that those who are the victims of crime speak to police. I would encourage everyone to come to this forum. Anyone who has any information relating to hate crime is asked to contact police on 101. Hate crime can also be reported online via the PSNI website, simply log onto http://www.psni.police.uk If someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details, they can contact the independent charity Crime stoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.”