Number Of Racist Crimes Rising In Poole

If you've ever been a victim of racial discrimination you're being invited to visit The Dolphin Shopping Centre.

The number of racist crimes reported to the Police was 48 last year and is up to 60 this year, but the number of racist incidents reported to both the Police and Council has fallen from 76 to 55 over the last year. 

Today's event (21st March 2011) marks the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and is important to Poole as we know incidents are happening but are not being reported, and they will still be having an impact on people's lives.

They might be incidents at school, work or out and about in the community. It is often hard for people to come forward and report racial crime.  Sometimes people just don't know where to report to, others are afraid of repercussions, and some don't know what support they will receive or what can be done if they do make a report.
 
So for the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination we want to make sure people do know where to go to report and get support. Representatives from 'Voice - BME people against discrimination' group, Dorset Race Equality Council and its Advocacy Worker, Borough of Poole, Dorset Police  and the Safer Poole Partnership will be in the Dolphin Shopping Centre between 10am-4.30pm to offer advice and guidance.  

There will be Love Life, Report Hate Crime posters and mini-guides to take away, as well as leaflets about support and help.  You can come along and talk to someone there and get advice. 

Cllr Janet Walton, Equalities Champion for Borough of Poole, said:

"It's really important that we make sure people feel safe in our communities and that they have the confidence to report racist bullying to both the police and the council. This is a great opportunity to promote this and to demonstrate that we can work with those affected to support them through what can be extremely difficult times.

"The council is keen to ensure the town and its services are inclusive for everyone in Poole. We will be listening hard on the day to hear what people say about what we can do better to make sure Poole is a place where everyone feels welcome and part of the community."

This work is part of the council's Fairness for All Scheme - a commitment to promoting equality and celebrating diversity in Poole and Prejudice Incident Reporting processes.