North Tyneside Council has vowed to eliminate hate crime after it was revealed there were over 400 reported incidents in the borough last year.
According to council data, there were 404 reported hate crime incidents in 2021 of which the majority were race related. There has also been an increase in hate crimes in North Tyneside from 2015 to 2021 according to local authority documents.
A hate crime is defined as a criminal offence perceived by the victim or someone else to be motivated by prejudice based on protected characteristics. These can include; race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, transgender identity, gender, and age.
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North Tyneside Council has approved a hate crime policy statement to tackle incidents throughout the borough.
The statement forms part of the local authority's "ongoing programme of work in relation to reducing inequality, eliminating discrimination and promoting inclusion".
The council has pledged to raise awareness of hate crime incidents and improve how reports of hate crimes can be made. Where hate crimes occur, the council states it will take steps to ensure victims and witnesses are given the support they need.
Verbal abuse, threatening behaviour, harassment, assault, malicious messages, and the distribution of racist materials online could be classed additionally as hate crimes. Workplace or school bullying could also be classed as hate crimes.
Coun Hannah Johnson, cabinet member for inclusion, employment and skills, said: “North Tyneside is a safe area to live, work and visit, where difference is celebrated. Our aim is to be an inclusive borough where everyone can be themselves – to eliminate discrimination.
“To do this, it is right that we take a clear stance on things that might put that aim at risk. Hate crime and hate incidents, wherever they occur, have an appalling impact. While levels of hate crime are low in North Tyneside, we want to send a very clear message through this policy statement - as a local authority, we are simply not prepared to tolerate hate crimes or incidents.
“This policy statement complements both our work with partners within the Safer North Tyneside Partnership and how we operate as an organisation.”
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