Partners join forces to raise awareness of hate crime
22nd January 2015
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Bolton Council, GMP and voluntary groups and charities are joining forces to mark Hate Crime Awareness Week between January 26 and February 1, with a series of events and awareness raising activities.

Bolton Citizens’ Advice Bureau on Mawdsley Street will be marking Hate Crime Awareness Week by becoming a Third Party Reporting Centre. Victims or witnesses of hate crime can report abuse at a third party centre without having to visit a police station. Staff have been trained to handle reports of these crimes and will provide a safe and secure place for people to discuss their concerns. Over the coming months, many more staff from organisations located throughout the borough will be trained to take reports of hate crime. 

An event will also be held by Bolton Council, Bolton University and GMP at Bolton University on Tuesday January 27 from 11am to 2pm, to raise awareness of hate crime. The event has been arranged in partnership with the University of Bolton Students’ Union. Voluntary groups and partners will host information stalls promoting respect and raising awareness of hate crime.

A number of community and voluntary sector groups will also be taking part in events to raise awareness and encourage discussion around hate crime.  The Sycamore Project at Zac’s Youth Bar will be working with the Restricted Growth Association to hold workshops for young people with the aim of challenging perceptions around disability, whilst young people at DBBC will be creating a music track on the theme of disability hate crime. Bolton YMCA and St Andrew’s Church will be producing a short film to raise awareness, and Ease Women’s Group will be choreographing a dance based on real life experiences of hate crime by group members.

Finally, Bolton Love Music, Hate Racism will be holding a photography competition for local schools and youth groups on the theme of hate crime. There will be an exhibition of all the photography and prizes presented at an awards ceremony later in the year.

Councillor Derek Burrows, Cabinet Member for Community Safety said: “Hate crime is completely unacceptable and we are working with our partners to end it completely. We hope that the events and awareness raising activities we are organising as part of this week will raise awareness of hate crime and encourage people to take a stand against it.”

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Faz P

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Hi I am Faz and am passionate about all things Bolton. I hope you enjoy reading my blogs and find them to be interesting and thought provoking. I would love you to add your personal comments to them. Dont...

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