Hate Crime Awareness Week
14th – 21st October 2023
(Postponed until further notice)
As part of National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2023, Barnet will be hosting a number of events 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, transgender identity, sexual orientation, faith, race, religion or national origin. The Barnet Hate Crime Awareness Project aims to show people that we will not let hate crime escalate in Barnet.
Hate Crimes are a growing problem across Britain. Last year, over 155,000 hate crimes were recorded nationally by police forces in England and Wales. Research has shown that hate crime can escalate and spread if it is left unchecked within a community. Hate crime can be targeted against its victims on the grounds of disability, transgender identity, sexual orientation, faith, race, religion, ethnicity or national origin. It can include offences such as verbal abuse, criminal damage, bullying, physical assault, malicious complaints, harassment, offensive graffiti and online abuse via social media platforms.
Barnet’s Hate Crime Awareness Project partners with Barnet Council’s Hate Crime Strategy aimed at “Improving access to justice for those affected by hate crime”. This priority focuses on increasing engagement with community-based groups, supporting victims of hate crime; increasing confidence of victims to report hate crime; improving access to justice for disabled people and vulnerable adults; and delivering focused workshops on identifying and reporting hate crime for Barnet residents and professionals.
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 and via online communications.
This year’s Hate Crime Awareness Week events include community Hate Crime Awareness and Information Stands across the borough, a Hate Crime Awareness Information Fair and focused workshops for residents.
Barnet Hate Crime Awareness Week 2023 also focuses on making Barnet a SAFE COMMUNITY for all. We continue to promote the Barnet Safe Places Scheme which was launched post-pandemic in 2021. 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. Join us to learn more about becoming a member of the Barnet Safe Places Scheme and collect your free Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard.
Could you be a Hate Crime Reporting Champion?
Hate crime can be reported to the police by a victim or a witness. During Hate Crime Awareness Week, we want to encourage our residents to speak up and report hate crime. Increased reports will allow the police and their partners to build up a statistical picture of hate crime hotspots, so they can target resources towards stopping it. This could include more police patrols or community workshops to bring people together. Sign up below to become a Barnet Hate Crime Reporting Champion now! We can send you regular information bulletins and invite you to attend free workshops and events.Hate Crime Awareness Week 2023
Saturday 14th October: Burnt Oak Underground Station 4pm-6pm (Watling Ave, Burnt Oak, Edgware HA8 0LA)
Monday 16th October: Hendon 1:30pm-3:30pm (Bus Stop R, Church Road, Hendon NW4 4EB)
Wednesday 18th October: Colindale 11am-12:30pm and 2pm - 3:30pm (Patterson Square, Corner of Bristol Avenue and Grahame Park Way, NW9 5ZN)
Thursday 19th October: Cricklewood 10am-1pm (Outside B&Q, Cricklewood Lane, NW2 1ES)
Friday 20th October: Edgware Muslim Community Centre 12:30pm-2:30pm (Aprirose House, 48A High Street, Edgware, HA8 7EQ)
Saturday 21st October: Mobile Hate Crime Awareness Bus 7pm-9pm (Visiting Hendon Brent Street and Golders Green)
Register to attend one of our focused events
Monday 16th October: Hate Crime Awareness and Reporting Workshop at St. Joseph’s Pastoral Centre, 11am-1pm (St Joseph’s Grove, The Burroughs, Watford Way NW4 4TY)
FREE Workshop for members and residents with disabilities and their family/carers
Do you or someone you care for have concerns about safety in the community? Have you encountered crime against a disabled person or vulnerable adult? Attend our easy-read workshop to learn about hate crime and why reporting it matters. Find out what local support is available in Barnet.
Tuesday 17th October: SEN Independent Travel Training and Hate Crime Awareness Training at Edgware Bus Station, 10.15am and 12.15pm (Station Road, Edgware HA8 7BG)
Join Barnet’s Metropolitan Police Safer Transport Team, TfL and the Barnet Road Safety Team on-board a red bus. Work towards travelling independently and learn about safety and reporting hate crime against disabled people and vulnerable adults.
Wednesday 18th October: Hate Crime Awareness Information Fair at Barnet Council, Colindale 1pm-2pm
Do you work with or support adults-at-risk including clients with a learning disability, mental health conditions or autistic adults? Join us for an information session on how staff can engage with residents who may be targets of hate crime and how we can support reporting of hate crime.
Speakers: Local Councillors, Community Safety Team, Barnet Mencap and Metropolitan Police.
