A campaign is being run in Nottingham to support the Chinese community after reports of COVID-19 related hate crime.
Incidents have been reported of people being targeted simply because coronavirus was first reported in China.
The campaign, launched by Nottingham City Council, Communities Inc, Nottinghamshire Police and others partners, aims to address this issue by working with Nottingham's East Asian and South East Asian communities to ensure people know how to report hate crimes and to assure communities that these crimes will not be tolerated in Nottingham.
Nottingham’s East Asian and South East Asian communities make significant and welcomed contributions to the city. Earlier this week, Nottingham City Council was pleased to report that just before the national lockdown, the Chinese community launched a fundraising campaign to support the city.
In just two weeks, they raised £10,597 from Chinese entrepreneurs, public and private-sector staff, students and alumni. This was followed by a two-month-long journey of sourcing the greatly-needed PPE at a time of global shortage. More than 100,000 surgical masks have been donated to the city in support of Nottingham’s key workers and vulnerable people, which equates to every Chinese resident in the city donating 15 masks on average.
Chief Inspector Louise Clarke, who leads Nottinghamshire Police’s Hate Crime Unit, said, “We are glad to be launching this campaign with partners to raise awareness of hate crime. Hate crime is not acceptable. We all, as members of society, should do what we can to prevent it – don’t be a bystander.
“It is incredibly important that anyone who is a victim of hate crime reports it to Nottinghamshire Police. We have specially trained officers who will approach cases sensitively and we will always investigate reports of hate crime thoroughly.
“If you have been a victim of hate crime, have witnessed a hate crime or need any information on what a hate crime is, please do not hesitate to speak to us.”
In an emergency, people should call 999, or ring 101 for a non-emergency. Hate crime can also be reported online at www.report-it.org.uk
What is hate crime?
A hate incident is any incident which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility, hate or prejudice. If a hate incident breaks the law, it becomes a criminal offence and therefore a hate crime.
It's important to report both hate incidents and hate crimes. By reporting hate crime you can:
- Send a message that hate crime will not be tolerated
- Stop it from getting worse or happening again
- Stop it from happening to other people
- Help the police and city council to put prevention measures in place
- Help victims to access appropriate support
- Express solidarity with the victim and take a stand against prejudice
Nottinghamshire Victim Care can provide advocacy and support for victims of hate crime. You do not have to report an incident to the police to access this support, call 0800 304 7575. This is a freephone number and lines are open between 8am and 8pm on Monday to Friday, and 9am and 5pm on Saturdays.
Get involved with the campaign
Nottingham's Voluntary, Community and Social Enteprise (VCSE) Sector are being encouraged to get involved with the campaign by sharing the campaign materials (poster and graphics) on their social media channels and with their networks. To download the social media pack, click here.
