Hate Crime Awareness Week 2023
This week we mark Hate Crime Awareness Week which, this year, has a focus on faith-based hate.
Faith has played an instrumental role in the history of Wales. It has helped shape and symbolise our shared cultural values such as resilience, hard work, community spiritedness, and a positive pioneering outlook.
Exploring how the religions and faiths within our communities interlink with modern policing is incredibly important to me.
My vision is that the diverse communities of Gwent work collaboratively to achieve community cohesion. I want Gwent to be a place where people can live, work and visit without fear of experiencing hatred of any kind, including religious intolerance.
Across the UK, and indeed the world, political pressures and social and economic anxieties have caused an increase in community tension. Discrimination still occurs, so we must continue to promote and safeguard our principles of tolerance, inclusivity and equality.
As Police and Crime Commissioner, part of my role is to hold the Chief Constable to account for the way that policing services are delivered in Gwent. This includes ensuring that anyone who has dealings with the police are treated equitably and with fairness and respect.
It is also important that, as far as we are able, we ensure that our workforces visibly reflect the communities we serve so that people can be confident we understand their needs and expectations as citizens.
Understanding matters surrounding faith and religion is vital for any police service seeking confidence and cohesion within its local communities. It is only by working together that we can tackle community concerns, regardless of faith.
Report hate crime
If you experience or witness hate crime, report it to Gwent Police by calling 101. You can also report it via Facebook, Twitter and the Gwent Police website. In an emergency always call 999.
Additional support is available from Gwent Police’s victim’s hub, Connect Gwent.
You can also contact Victim Support for help, advice and support.