Agenda item

Mick gave an overview of the previous Hate Crime Unit, which was a small team which dealt with hate crime incidents. The decision has been made for the Hate Crime Unit to be dissolved, due to budgetary constraints. Last year, the Police Force has a budget of £130 million, this year this has been reduced to just under £100 million. As a result, the Police Force has had to look at all areas of service faced with the challenge to provide an equal service but for less money.

Currently, if anyone phones in to report a hate crime, an officer will visit you, report the incident, and investigate and see through. Alongside this, the Police force are in the process of training hate crime champions, and reintroducing HIRG’s and making sure these are running.

Mick said that he stands by the decision, due to both economic reasons and also having higher awareness of hate crime at a local level.

Questions and comments:

What number should the community call when reporting a crime?

Mick advised that when reporting a hate crime, you should call 101 if non-emergency and hasn’t just happened. If an emergency and just happened, should call 999. Individuals can visit the Police desk at the Guildhall, but it will probably be smoother process to call, in order for an appointment to be booked for an officer to visit you.

Opening services up for all

Chris - 101 provides a good service for deaf people. Police came to visit to speak to deaf community.  Card has been produced, and people are able to text 999, or another number if not an emergency. There is a need to register for this in advance. Chris thanked Northamptonshire Police for setting this up. Mick added that the control room now has the facilities for video sign, and are looking to introduce this at the Guildhall desk also. This work is all part of the force’s commitment to opening services up.

Community trust

Matthew raised that community trust is key, and that if an officer is not comfortable with a conversation, the victim will pick this up. For LGBTQ people, they knew that if went to the hate crime unit, someone would understand, care and guide the individual through the process. The forum also discussed the Victims Voice Report which praised the Hate crime unit. The forum felt that the lack of consultation with the community before the decision was made has made the community feel that their point of view not important. Mick outlined how the decision was made and told the forum that the decision was an operational decision made by the Chief; hundreds of decisions are made, and cannot consult the community on everything. However, Mick said that he understands that the community may feel that way. In terms of the Police, they do not criminalise anyone for being gay, and does not happen throughout the county. If this does happen, Mick needs to be made aware and will deal with this.

How will the Police measure whether the decision has been effective?

Mick advised that the Police will look at a qualitative measure, such as victim satisfaction and experience and feedback, rather than quantitative as they may not represent actual experience effectively.

How many savings have actually been made through closing the unit?

A saving of around £450,000 has been made from pensions etc. and posts have been moved elsewhere. Officers reduced elsewhere so moved around and also had to do this elsewhere in other areas of business. Hate Crime officers in team have gone to other roles.

Information of training for staff

Mick said that he is in discussion with Luisa Jepson (Hate Crime Coordinator) about Hate Crime Champion training, in order to add value. Hate crime champions will be Police Officers in case the need arises to investigate crime. However, PCSOs will also be trained. Cllr. King asked whether Hate Crime Champions could come to a future meeting. Mick advised that he does want Hate Crime Champions to be known by communities, and for communities to understand their role.

Mick advised the forum that it is highly unlikely that Northants Police will have another unit specifically for hate crime, but is not against looking at other ways of doing things to improve the service. Northampton Police will work with the community now and will come back to feedback to forum and review.