This week is Greater Manchester Hate Crime Awareness Week and the slogan for the annual awareness week is “Too Great For Hate” as councils stand together to tackle hate crime.
The awareness week is organised by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) as an opportunity to highlight the region’s zero tolerance to hate crime and encourage both victims and witnesses to take a stand and report hate crime.
GMCA makes funding available annually to support projects across the ten boroughs that make up Greater Manchester county to promote awareness of hate crime and how to report it.
Cllr Rabiya Jiva, Bolton Council Executive Member for Stronger Communities, said: “Bolton has a long tradition of communities living and working together well, but I am increasingly worried about hate crime.
“It is a blight on our communities and we are working with the police and partners to raise awareness of the terrible impacts it has.”
A hate crime is defined by the police as ‘any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards someone based on a personal characteristic.’
The police monitor five strands of hate crime these are, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability and transgender and can flag an offence as being motivated by one or more of these five monitored strands.
In 2022-2023 11,642 hate crimes were recorded by Greater Manchester Police.
This was the second largest number of hate crimes in England and Wales after Metropolitan Police (London) where 24,612 were recorded in 2022-2023.
Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council said: “It’s essential that everyone understands the importance of recognising and reporting hate crimes to the police.
“This is more than just a duty; it’s a step towards safeguarding our community and ensuring Oldham remains a place where everyone feels safe and included.
“Let’s unite against hate and make it known it has no place in our community.”
Each of the ten councils in the Greater Manchester Combined Authority are hosting events to mark the week and raise awareness of the report and support options available across the region.
Listed are some of the events taking place this week.
Monday 5 February
Workshops and a short film screening with Response Bolton and Harmony Youth Project
Unit 2, 101 The picture House, BL1 10D at 1pm – 3pm
Workshops discussing hate crime with Krimmz Girls Youth Club
5pm – 7pm visit here for more information
Wednesday 7 February
Participate in community dialogue circles with Response Bolton
Unit 2, 101 The picture House, BL1 10D at 1pm – 2pm
Thursday 8 February
Attend an artistic expression workshop and celebrate diversity at our Community Solidarity Event with Response Bolton
Unit 2, 101 The Picture House, BL1 10D at 1pm – 3pm
Saturday 10 February
Workshops discussing hate crime with Krimmz Girls Youth Club
3pm – 5pm visit here for more information
Sunday 11 February
Workshops discussing hate crime with Krimmz Girls Youth Club
3pm – 5pm visit here for more information
Monday 5 February
Hate Crime Ambassador Reporting Centre awareness and training, including GM Police and Victim Support
Bury Town Hall at 10am -12.30pm
To book on contact [email protected]
Tuesday 6 February
Report hate crime at a surgery with the BAME Project and Greater Manchester Police at Millgate Shopping Centre from 10am
Report hate crime at a surgery with Greater Manchester Police Ramsbottom Morrisons
Wednesday 7 February
Stop Hate Crime showcase with Liv’s Trust, MAD Theatre and The Met
The Met theatre at 6.30pm
To reserve your place contact [email protected]
Friday 9 February
Community engagement by Transport for Greater Manchester, GM Police and Bury Council
Bury Interchange at 10am-1pm
Manchester
Wednesday 7 February
Discussions with community organisations, presentations and speakers with Levenshulme Inspire
The Inspire Centre, 747 Stockport Road, M19 3AR from 12pm
Salford
Monday 5 February
Scope UK and Greater Manchester Police are hosting stalls and talking to people about hate crime.
Wednesday 7 February
Respect, Culture and Behaviours team are holding a stall raising awareness of hate crime.
Thursday 8 February
Security team are holding a stall and talking to students and people in the library about hate crime.
Wigan
The following organisations received funding from Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) fund: Everything Human Rights, Aspull Olympic Wrestling Club, Wigan Athletic Community Trust, Leigh Youth Hub Steering Group and Fempowered Together.
The six organisations will deliver a range of events and activities, some of which will continue throughout the month.
Meanwhile, the fund has also contributed to the Pete Shelley memorial campaign, which will host a Rock Against Hate event at The Turnpike in Leigh, on Saturday 10th February at 6:30pm.
It will honour the work of the legendary Buzzcocks musician and his support of the Rock Against Racism festivals in the 1970s.
For more information about reporting hate crime in Greater Manchester visit https://www.letsendhatecrime.com
