Hate Crime Awareness Week - PC Marie Bridgewater

This week (11 to 18 October) is Hate Crime Awareness Week which has given us the opportunity to highlight what hate crime is, the importance of reporting it and to detail the support that is available to those who experience it.

PC Marie Bridgewater is a hate crime officer for West Mercia Police and has been in the role since January 2024. She is extremely passionate about her role and chatted to us about the importance of reporting hate crime and about the support that is on offer to those that need it.

What impact can hate crime have on a victim?

“The impact on a victim will vary and that may depend on the type of offence they are sadly a victim of. Hate crime can be any criminal offence, like harassment, theft or assault.

“Some victims may ignore what has happened to them, some will be impacted deeply, suffering with depression or anxiety, perhaps being unable to leave their home.

“The behaviour of a victim may change as a result, changing routes they walk to work to avoid potential situations. They may become angry that they have been targeted, they could be sad and upset.

“Some people can suffer injuries as a result of physical attacks, which could mean they need time away from work to recover, which would impact their ability to pay bills.

“They may be left with physical scars or disabilities; they may become isolated. It can take away their self-confidence and feeling of self-worth.

“The impact can be huge when someone is being targeted in relation to something that is deeply personal to them that they have no control over”

 

Why is it important to report Hate Crime?

“It is vitally important to report hate crime for both victims and those that witness such crimes. That report could help to make a community safer and provide those affected with appropriate resources and support.

“Reporting also allows the police to get an understanding of the hate crimes that are happening in a specific area, meaning we can ensure that resources are deployed effectively. If we are not aware of a problem, then we can’t act upon it. 

“It also allows us to investigate and for offenders to be dealt with appropriately. Perpetrators must be held accountable for their behaviour and in the case of hate crime, courts can impose tougher sentences on those that commit these intolerable acts.

“All investigations will be led by the victim and full support from an investigating officer will be provided to them, receiving access to appropriate support, advice and resources that can help them feel safe and recover from the impact of the crime.

“I urge anyone who is a victim of hate crime or a witness of a hate crime to report it. It will give a clear message to a community and potential offenders that the matter will be taken seriously, it could encourage other victims to come forward and discourage some from committing such offences”.

 

What support can we offer to victims of hate crime?

“Victims of hate crime will be contacted by the investigating officer and provided with regular updates as to how the investigation is progressing and what the outcome is when the investigation is complete.

“The officer will ask the victim if they would like to be referred to Victim Support who are an independent charity that offer free and confidential support to those who are affected by hate crime.

“They can also offer support to everyone who is affected, including parents and carers to children that need help coping with the impact of the crime.

“As a hate crime officer, I would also contact every victim to provide added and additional support”.

How can I report a hate crime?

“Firstly, if you are in immediate danger, please call 999.

“If you can’t make voice calls, you can also now text emergency services by SMS text from your mobile phone which is a service for those with hearing loss or difficulty with speech. It’s worth noting that you do need to be registered for this service before using it. (Link below)

“All other reports can be made online or by calling 101.

“If you don’t feel comfortable speaking with the police, reports can be made via True Vision, which is an organisation that acts as a third-party reporting centre allowing relevant information to be passed to us with the permission from the person who reported it”.

 

Report hate crime to West Mercia Police here.

Report hate crime to True Vision here. 

To find out more and register for Emergency SMS click here.