Young people in Bury lead the way in tackling hate crime

Pupils from across Bury’s secondary schools have been working together to help tackle issues of hate crime in our schools and communities.

They took part in an event, funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioners (OPCC), at the New Kershaw Centre in Bury.

Representatives from Greater Manchester Police, Bury Council, voluntary and community groups, the Sophie Lancaster Foundation and the OPCC supported them to develop a campaign to raise awareness of the consequences of hate crime and about the support available to young people who may have experienced such incidents.

The young people will now take this work back to their schools and will be supported by partner agencies in continuing their work.

Councillor Tamoor Tariq, Bury Council’s lead member for community safety, said: “Hate crime affects everybody and can make communities feel unsafe. This work by the young people of Bury is a positive step in driving home the message that Bury is a place where all communities are respected and hate crime is not tolerated.”

Tony Lloyd, Greater Manchester Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Young people are often victims of hate crime, but they also have a vital role to play in helping to eradicate it. It’s important that we ensure that young people have information about hate crime, what to do about it and – crucially – get the message across that they are not alone. By educating the younger generation that it can never be acceptable to target someone because of who they are, they can work with us to build stronger, cohesive communities and end hate crime in all its forms.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 10 February 2016.

Picture:Chief Inspector Jo Marshall speaks at the hate crime event.