News

Accord team up with West Midlands Police to tackle hate crime

Victims of hate crime will now be able to report incidents to a Walsall housing association as part of an initiative by West Midlands Police to tackle the offence.

Accord Housing Association has been endorsed as a third party reporting centre by West Midlands Police, meaning that victims of hate crime can now report their concerns directly to Accord staff.

Third party reporting centres, which can include housing associations, community and day care centres, allow victims to speak to someone in a place that they are familiar with and to people that they know and trust.

As a third party reporting centre, staff from Accord Housing Association will be able to log incidents of hate crime on an independent website called report-it.org.uk, making reporting the crime as simple as possible for victims.

Reports will then be sent to West Midlands Police via report-it.org.uk and victims will be contacted by an officer within 12 hours.

Accord Housing Association staff, who have been specially trained by West Midlands Police, will also be able to offer confidential support and guidance to victims as part of the initiative.

Stuart Rochelle, Community Team Manager at Accord Housing Association, said: “We are committed to eliminating discrimination and promoting equality and by becoming a third party reporting centre we will be able to help victims of hate crime report incidents safely and confidently.

“We are delighted to be working with West Midlands Police, and the website report-it.org.uk, on this initiative and hope that it will encourage people who are, or have, experienced hate crime to come forward.”

PC Tariq Mahmood, from West Midlands Police, said: "The aim of third party reporting centres is to provide a supportive environment for victims so they feel confident to report hate crime. Accurate reporting of hate crime is essential to us understanding the impact on the individuals and communities concerned.

“It is crucial that the organisations we work with to provide a third party link to victims are willing to meet the standards and expectations required to deliver that service.”
Hate crime is defined as a crime where a victim is targeted because of their race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability or transgender identity.

To report a hate crime to Accord Housing Association, visit Accord’s office at 37 King Street, Darlaston, WS10 8DE.

The force is looking for other organisations which would like to become third party reporting centres and broaden the service they are able to provide to their customers. These could include those offering services for members of faith, race, disability, gender identity or lesbian, gay and bisexual communities.

Full training will be provided for staff, as well as guidance leaflets and marketing materials. If you are interested in becoming a third party reporting centre, contact your Local Policing Unit on 101 or your local police station.

For more information on hate crime, or to report an incident online, visit: west-midlands.police.uk/crime-reduction/hate-crime/index.asp