6 JUly 2016

WOKING REMAINS VIGILENT AGAINST HATE CRIME

Woking Borough Council has reiterated its stance against hate crime, whilst reassuring foreign nationals that they are welcome in the Borough, in the wake of the vote to leave the European Union.

In a statement to the Executive (30 June 2016), Leader of the Council, Cllr John Kingsbury said: “We must not allow the democratic vote to leave the EU to be taken, by some, as justification for hate towards people of different national origin, faith or sexual orientation. Great Britain has welcomed migrants from many parts of the world for many years and enacted its first Race Relations Act in 1965, well before it joined the EU. We have a strong tradition of being opposed to discrimination and it is important that we maintain it.”

During the Executive meeting, a statement condemning hate crime and reassuring foreign nationals that they continue to play a key role within local communities was recommended to Full Council: “We are proud to live in a diverse and tolerant society. Racism, xenophobia and hate crimes have no place in our country. We, Woking Borough Council, condemn racism, xenophobia and hate crimes unequivocally. We will not allow hate to become acceptable.

“Woking Borough Council will work to ensure local bodies and programmes have support and resources needed to fight and prevent racism and xenophobia.

“We reassure all people living in Woking that they are valued members of our community.”

A hate crime, which is already a key priority of the Safer Woking Partnership, is an incident that can be perceived as being racist, homophobic or transphobic, or due a person’s religion, beliefs, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. It is important that the public report hate crime to which they are subjected, or which they observe, via any of the channels below.

•           Calling Surrey Police on 101.

•           In an emergency always, dial 999.

•           Contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

•           Via the hate crime reporting site True Vision at www.report-it.org.uk

•           Through community groups such as Tell Mama and Community Security.