Hate crimes have increased in the COVID crisis. This has increased concerns locally and nationally about both the safety of individuals and the state of relations between communities. This an issue that is a matter of concern for local people and the people who commission services to support them.

This event jointly organised by Support Northamptonshire and Northamptonshire Rights and Equality Council as part of the Community Watch project.

It will focus on local and national trends, support in addressing hate crime and hate incidents. The event will also explore links to counter extremism strategies. The session will build your confidence and understanding of online hate and confidence to report online hate.

Featuring presentations from:

• Yemi Holman, Hate Crime Officer for Northamptonshire Police – to understand the rise and trends in Hate Crime across Northamptonshire during Covid19

• Ben Smith Community Coordinator, Leicester City Council giving a understanding of regional and national strategies tackling Hate and extremism

The objectives of the event are to:

allow participants to gain an understanding of local and national trends, support and resources nationally, regionally and locally in addressing hate crime and hate incidents and links to the counter extremism strategies.

build confidence and understanding of participants of online hate and confidence to report online hate.

Northamptonshire Rights and Equality Council have been delivering hate crime training to the local community and local agencies since its inception. The focus of hate crime and hate incident work undertaken by both Northamptonshire Rights and Equality Council and Communitywatch has been to increase the confidence of local people to report and be aware of routes that they can influence agencies to do more to support victims and bring perpetrators to justice.