Diversity strategy is to target hate crimes (From York Press)

Diversity strategy is to target hate crimes

9:17am Wednesday 5th September 2012 in News

A NEW plan for addressing hate crime in York has been compiled.

Safer York Partnership has drawn up a draft Embracing Diversity strategy for 2012 to 2015.

The introduction to the document says: “York’s growing population is increasingly diverse, with more people from different ethnic and national backgrounds, growing numbers of older people, rising student numbers and more people with disabilities.

“With these trends set to continue, it is important that a co-ordinated and consistent approach to preventing and addressing hate crime is adopted.”

The document estimates there were 121 hate crimes in York in 20111/12, with the vast majority – 99 – race-related.

It defines a hate crime as one where the victim perceives it to be based on a social group, such as disability, race, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or transgender.

City of York Council ’s community safety committee will discuss the draft strategy next Tuesday at the Guildhall.