Five hate crime reporting centres set up at places of religious worship across Peterborough
Police have set up five hate crime reporting centres at places of religious worship across Peterborough.
Each of the centres is overseen by a nominated person from the place of worship who is then given special training by the police.
The centres were created after Cambridgeshire police had contacted faith groups, including Christian and Jewish groups, that might have concerns about incidents of hate crime.
The initiative was launched earlier this year as the police stepped up their fight to tackle incidents of hate crime.
Police say that there were 580 hate crimes of all types reported in Peterborough between August 1 last year and August 1 this year.
The centres are:
- Faizan e Madinah Mosque in Gladstone Street
- Khadija Mosque in Cromwell Road
- Al Raheem Mosque in Cromwell Road
- Salahuddin Community Grove Centre in Woodston
- Hindu Temple, Rock Road
The police spokesperson said: “They were set up after we reached out to different faith groups last year to see if they had people who would like to volunteer to act as a nominated person within their communities to support those who might be victims of hate crime/hate incidents.
"The project involves volunteers acting as nominated persons within their communities to support those who may be victims of hate crime or hate incidents.
He said: “The hate crime reporting centres and volunteers have been given the relevant protocol and training by the force, so they can recognise hate‑related incidents, understand the reporting processes, and signpost victims to appropriate services when required.
“We are fully committed to tackling hate crime in our communities - working to ensure just outcomes for victims and with our partners to stop these crimes from happening in the first place.
“We have robust mechanisms in place to review hate-crimes, to ensure they are properly recorded and investigated according to law and national guidance.
He added: “If any other faith or community groups would like to contact the force about becoming a hate crime reporting centre, please get in touch with us Cambridgeshire Constabulary.
Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes said: "I would urge anyone who is a victim of such a crime to report it to the police.
“This move is to be welcomed if makes it easier for people to report such incidents to the police and brings the police closer to communities involved.”