Support Groups and Issues - Racist Incidents

Minorities Team

We all have a responsibility to speak out against racism, but perhaps you have been too fearful of the consequences, or perhaps you just thought nothing would be done?

The Minorities Team does not pretend to be able to change things overnight, but if everyone pulls together, the People of Preston can create a Community that is free of discrimination. The Minorities Team is ready to help, but the rest is up to you. If you want to know more about what support the Team can offer or if you have been the victim or know of a victim of a racist crime please contact the Minorities Team.

In addition the Minorities Team can help you:

When you need advice or support with the reporting/investigation of a homophobic crime.
If issues arise because you or someone you know who requires police assistance has a learning disability.
If you would like the Team to give a briefing about minority issues in relation to the Community & Race Relations Strategy.

Take Action and Report Hate Crime

Minorities Team
Community & Race Relations Sergeant	01772 209110
Racists incidents Self-Reporting Project Officer	01772 415280
Community Safety PC	01772 209110

Self Reporting project

The Self-Reporting Project was officially launched on 30th April 2001 by the Preston Community Safety Partnership. Central Division's Chief Superintendent attended the event along with prominent members of the Community & representatives from the Community Safety Partnership.

Racist incidents ranging from harassment and abuse to physical violence are offences under the criminal law. If anyone has a complaint with respect to any of these criminal matters they should be reported to the police. Research studies however highlight an under-reporting of racist incidents and crime. Nationally it is accepted that factors that contribute to this under reporting are:

Procedural Incidents
Lack of confidence in the Police
Cultural and or language barriers

In a move to change this Lancashire Constabulary's Central Division in partnership with Lancashire County Council and Preston Borough Council decided to introduce a self-referral scheme. This initiative is based in the Community Safety Partnership.

This scheme aims to provide a way for racist crimes to be:

Reported at locations other than the Police Station
Recorded using a self-reporting form that will be forwarded to the Police
Reported anonymously or by a third party
Reported on a 24-hour basis using the self-reporting form

You can find further Information on the following website: Victim Support - External Site