Assistant Chief Constable Drew Harris, ACPO lead on Hate Crime said:
"Hate crime is unacceptable in any civilised society and the police are committed to reduce the harm it causes, to victims, their families and to the broader community.
“We know that many hate crimes still go un-reported and it is essential that victims have both the confidence and the opportunity to report such crimes, either directly to the police or through a third party. A full understanding of the nature and extent of the problem will allow us and our partners to help protect people from the harm caused by hate crime.
“We have been involved in the creation of this cross-governmental plan because we realise that the police service can not succeed in isolation. There is a need for local and national agencies to cooperate, in order to reduce the harm hate crime causes to victims, and communities. This action plan will help focus the attention of all agencies on the response to hate crime but, vitally it will also oversee work to minimise the bigotry that fuels such crimes. It is far better that we prevent hate crimes from occurring but when they do we must be ready to respond effectively."
ENDS
Notes for Editors
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The ACPO Press Office can be contacted via 020 7084 8946/47/48 (office hours) or via 07803 903686 (out of office hours).
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The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) is an independent, professionally led strategic body. In the public interest and, in equal and active partnership with Government and the Association of Police Authorities, ACPO leads and co-ordinates the direction and development of the police service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In times of national need ACPO, on behalf of all chief officers, coordinates the strategic policing response.
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ACPO’s 341 members are police officers of Assistant Chief Constable rank (Commanders in the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police) and above, and senior police staff managers, in the 44 forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and other forces such as British Transport Police and States of Jersey Police.
