Agenda item - Addressing Hate Crime Incidents in Brighton & Hove

Report of the Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Communities and Housing (copy attached)

RESOLVED – That the Committee has commented on and notes the information contained in the report which provides an update work currently being undertaken by the Community Safety Team and the Communities, Equalities and Third Sector team in relation to addressing hate crime reporting in the City and to support the work of organisations such as the Racial Harassment Forum (RHF).

48.1                The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Communities and Housing addressing hate crime incidents in Brighton and Hove. At the meeting of the Committee which had been held in October 2018 the Racial Harassment Forum had presented the outcomes of a survey which had been undertaken by it into racially motivated hate crimes in the city and the reporting of those crimes. The survey had been carried out between January and March 2018 and over 250 people had responded. At that timer the Committee had requested a report exploring wider hate crime incidents in the city and how the local authority and partners could support the recommendations in the survey.

48.2                The Head of Communities and Equalities, Emma Mc Dermott, explained that the Committee were invited to note the information in the report which was intended to provide a update on the work being undertaken by the Community Safety Team and the Communities, Equalities and Third Sector team in relation to addressing hate crime reporting in the city and to support the work of organisations such as the Racial Harassment Forum (RHF).

48.3                In response to questions by the Chair, Councillor Daniel, it was explained that following her appointment, Community Co-ordinator, Counter Extremism, Melinda King, had been working with the Police to flesh out and update the strategy going forward in line with Home Office guidance. A package was being drawn up in order to provide members with up to date training and information and prior to its launch a further update would be provided to the Committee.

48.4                Councillor Morgan stated that a consistent thread seemed to be the need to ensure the need to ensure that those who could be vulnerable were aware of the reporting mechanisms available to them and that support was given in order to enable them to do so.

48.5                Councillor Cattell, considered that integral to this it was important to ensure that those reporting incidents were afforded the anonymity they required and it was confirmed that mechanisms to ensure that this was so were in place.

48.6                Councillor Littman noted that the mechanisms in place were heavily focussed towards prevention which was welcomed. It was important however to ensure suitably robust arrangements were in place to ensure that “victims” had sufficient confidence in the process that they were encouraged and felt able to engage. Specific help and advice which could be given to Members which would enable them to assist in that regard would be helpful. He was also concerned that following the current Brexit negotiations, there could be spike in such incidents and that measures needed to be in place to react to that.

48.7                Councillor A Norman stated that she had read the report and the information contained in it with interest noting however that it did not appear to include reference to stalking asking regarding measures in place to combat such incidents too. Whilst the information and publicity provided by the posters was encouraging the prevalence of such incidents was also a serious cause for concern.

48.8                Chief Superintendent Lisa Bell responded that such incidents were regarded as serious and were receiving the attention that they deserved. It was acknowledged that this was challenging and that it was important to have mechanisms in place which encouraged reportage.

48.9                The Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Communities and Housing stated that by publicising the process it was intended not only to encourage victims to report incidents but to encourage awareness by the general public which could encourage them to report issues or to encourage individuals known to them to do so.

48.9                RESOLVED – That the Committee has noted and commented upon the information contained in the report which has provided an update on work being undertaken by the Community Safety Team and the Communities, Equalities and Third Sector team in relation to addressing hate crime reporting in the City and to the support given to the work of organisations such as the Racial Harassment Forum (RHF).