NEW figures released by Gwent Police show hate crime has risen in a few areas.

Reported disability hate crimes have increased from 11 to 19, homophobic crimes have increased from 28 to 31 and racial hate crimes have increased from 183 to 209. Hate crimes against religions have decreased from 10 to two and transphobic have decreased from five to four.

Gwent Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Gwent have joined forces with a range of local and national partners this week to raise awareness about hate crimes and to encourage more people to report them.

National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2015 started on Saturday 10th October and runs until this Saturday (17th October).

Throughout the week there will be a focus on each type of hate crime – religion, disability, sexual orientation, and race and gender identity. The campaign will be supported by messages from a dedicated Twitter account @HateCrimeCymru which will signpost to information, support and resources throughout the week using the hashtags #ThinkForMyself, #MakeHateHistory, #HCAWCymru15, #HateCrime and #SeeItHearItReportIt

In addition, Victim Support Cymru received funding from the four police and crime commissioners in Wales to run a non-stop Hate Crime Roadshow around Wales this week aimed at informing residents what hate crime is, how they can report it and what support they are able to receive.

The Victim Support Hate Crime Team in Wales will be travelling in a marked Hate Crime Vehicle, and setting up a temporary stall for a minimum of 20 minutes per town, village or hamlet along the route. This will be an opportunity for the public to engage with the team who provide support to victims of hate.

This Friday (16th October), Gwent Police will also be hosting a specific disability hate crime event in Cwmbran which has been arranged using funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner secured from the Welsh Government and will include workshops on hate crime, an interactive drama production and a closing speech from a special guest. 

Gwent Police Hate Crime leader, superintendent Mark Warrender, said: “Hate crimes are under reported for a number of reasons. This week we are highlighting what a hate crime is and encouraging people to report hate crimes to us: whether it be verbal abuse, offensive graffiti, threats, damage to property, assault, cyber bullying, abusive texts, emails or phone calls. It is important possible victims know what we are doing about hate crimes and the support we and our partners can offer.

In an emergency call 999 or you can report hate crime confidentially to Connect Gwent at www.connectgwent.org.uk or call 0300 1232133.