As part of National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2022, Barnet will be hosting events online and across the borough.

Hate crime is an issue that affects the entire community. No one deserves to be targeted with abuse because of their disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, faith, race, religion or national origin. The Zero Tolerance to Hate Crime Project aims to show people that we will not let hate crime escalate in Barnet.

This year we are focusing on making Barnet a Safe Community for all and we are launching the Barnet Safe Places Scheme. This is a network of safe places across the borough where people can get help if they feel unsafe, anxious or threatened when out in the community. We will also be raising awareness of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard which disabled people and people with medical or health conditions can wear to indicate that they might need some support, space or additional time when accessing services and facilities.

Barnet operates a network of third party Hate Crime Reporting Centres where victims and witnesses of hate crime, in particular our more vulnerable members, can access support to report offences to the Police and be referred or signposted to local community organisations for ongoing support. Our Hate Crime Reporting Centres are selected to represent a diverse cross-section of the community and are in accessible locations across the borough. This year we are delighted to welcome Middlesex University to the Barnet Network of Hate Crime Reporting Centres.

The Barnet Zero Tolerance to Hate Crime Project will be hosting the following events during Hate Crime Awareness Week to encourage people to become Hate Crime Reporting Champions, pledging to report hate crime if they witness it. Reporting Champions continue to receive regular Hate Crime Bulletins and opportunities to attend workshops for information and training.

Expertise will be shared by the Metropolitan Police and community organisations including Barnet Mencap to spread public awareness and understanding of hate crime, and the effect it has on its victims. Come and visit our Hate Crime Reporting and Information Stands at the following locations:

Saturday 8th October: Burnt Oak Underground Station 3pm-5pm (Watling Ave, Burnt Oak, Edgware HA8 0LA)
Monday 10th October: Finchley Central 10am-1pm (Albert Place, Finchley N3 1XP)
Tuesday 11th October: Barnet Hospital 10am-1pm (Wellhouse Lane, Barnet EN5 3DJ)
Wednesday 12th October: Golders Green Bus Station 10am-1pm (1 Golders Green Road, NW11 8DY)
Thursday 13th October: Edgware Bus Station 10am-1pm (Station Road, Edgware HA8 7BG)
Friday 14th October: Islamic Centre Edgware 12.30pm-2.30pm (9d Deansbrook Road HA8 9BE)
Saturday 15th October Hendon Central Underground Station 7pm-9pm (London NW4 3AB)

To view the flyer for these events, please click here.

Barnet Hate Crime Awareness Week 2022 focuses on making Barnet a safe community for all. Join us to learn more about becoming a member of the Barnet Safe Places Scheme and collect your free Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard.

On 12th October at 11.30am Barnet Mencap will be hosting an online workshop and discussion for Barnet Professionals, Key Workers and Carers: Disability Hate Crime: “Hate Crime and Gender”. For more information or to register for this or any of the week’s events, please contact: Barnet’s Hate Crime Reporting Co-ordinator, Reshma Hirani at reshma.hirani@barnetmencap.org.uk 

To view the flyer for this session, please click here.

Check out our Hate Crime Awareness Week 2022 page for more information.

Don’t forget you can also Register to become a Barnet Hate Crime Reporting Champion, pledging to report hate crime to the Police if you encounter it. For more information, check out Hate Crime Reporting page here.