Home > Information & Advice Service > Hate Crime Reporting

Hate Crime Reporting

Preston Police Launch 3rd Party Reporting Centres

A new “3rd Party” reporting system has bee launched across Preston which enables victims of hate crime to report incidents taking place in their local area without visiting a police station. Disability Equality NW is one of these Reporting Centres.

The system has been introduced following a recognition by police that some people may feel more comfortable making their initial crime or incident report to an agency or organisation other than the police.

The ‘3rd Party’ reporting scheme means hate crime victims can now report incidents to a number of agencies across Preston including:- Disability Equality, Moor Lane resource Centre, PUKAR, Centre for Independent Living, Community Gateway, Integrate and First Direct. Staff at these agencies have been trained to assist members of the public to complete a simple form which is then forwarded to the police. This can be done anonymously to respect the wishes of the individual if requested.

Hate Crimes and incidents can also be reported in confidence across Lancashire by downloading the form directly from the Lancashire Constabulary website or by completing a report online.

PC Stuart Rutlidge from Central Division’s Diversity Unit explained: “The Police should ordinarily be the first port of call for anyone who needs to report a crime or incident and we know that the vast majority of people are perfectly happy to do this.”

“However, we appreciate that victims of some particular categories of crime, like hate crime for example, might feel more comfortable completing the form themselves or telling someone other than the police about their case.

He added: “The ‘3rd Party’ reporting process is simple. The individual can either complete the form online, as hard copy or speak to someone from one of the participating organisations such as Disability Equality NW

If action is to be taken against the perpetrator then we re-contact the complainant.

“ However, if the person just wants to inform us that an incident has taken place we will log the incident, bearing in mind the wishes of the individual and no contact or investigation will take place.”

He concluded: “It is essential that victims of hate crime or incidents report them so that we can build up a clear picture of what is happening in our local communities. If this type of independent reporting assists people to come forward, then that can only be a good thing.”

PC 83 STUART RUTLIDGE

Diversity Unit

Preston Police Operating Centre

Lancaster Road North

PR1 2SA

01772 209797

diversity.preston@lancashire.pnn.police.uk

See also our Hate Crime Prevention Resource in the list on the right.