Operation to tackle hate crime launched in Rotherham
People across Rotherham are being urged to report hate crime so police can tackle tensions in the wake of the town's grooming scandal
People across Rotherham are being urged to report hate crime so police can tackle tensions in the wake of the town's grooming scandal.
A new scheme's being launched as figures show hate crimes in the town are up nearly 50 percent this year compared to 2015.
Operation Solar includes an anonymous email address to make it easier for people to come forward.
It's in response to concerns that hate crime is widely under-reported.
Chief Inspector Richard Butterworth, district lead for hate crime, says the aim of the project is to empower victims: “We want to give them the confidence to come forward and reassure Rotherham communities that hate crime of any form will not be tolerated.
“No-one should suffer from this despicable crime and we will take action against anyone seeking to threaten or harm another, or incite racial hatred, either in person or on social media.
“Despite our best efforts to encourage those affected to call 101 or speak to police officers, sometimes, this is just too daunting and people are worried about making a ‘formal’ report.
“We have listened to this feedback and put this additional method into place supported by community-based reporting centers.”
Information received will be used to identify hotspots and emerging trends, co-ordinate police activity and provide a targeted response. It will also allow officers to run covert investigations including using cameras to pursue offenders.
The number of reported hate crimes in Rotherham from January to May 2015 was 101 compared to 196 for the same period in 2016.
Last year there were 377 recorded incidents of hate crime.
An Independent Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel has already been set up in response to growing tensions which CI Butterworth said were as a result of a “number of factors”.
He added: “In February this year, two 30-year-old men were jailed for more than 40 years for the murder of an 81-year-old Rotherham man. During the hearing, the court heard that the victim, a popular member of the community, was assaulted because of the colour of his skin.
“This shocking and brutal crime sent shockwaves through the Rotherham community and is exactly the kind of behaviour that we are working tirelessly to prevent."
Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, said: "I would like to send a clear message that hate crime, of any kind, will not be tolerated in Rotherham or anywhere else in South Yorkshire."
Victims, witnesses or members of the public can provide information about hate crimes directly to the police by emailing Operation Solar at operation.solar@southyorks.pnn.police.uk.