Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) John Tizard has vowed to purge hate crime in the county ahead of national hate crime awareness week (14-19 October).
John Tizard commented: “Hate crime is heinous and has not place in contemporary Britain. Wherever you live, whatever your gender, race, sexual orientation, disability, faith, religion or age you are entitled to be able to live your life without fear, prejudice, discrimination and hate.
“As long as I am PCC there will be zero tolerance of hate crime and those who perpetuate it should always be subject to the full force of the law.
“I would wish Parliament to strengthen hate crime law but, in the meantime, we must enforce all laws that protect the rights of our fellow citizens to live without fear.
“I want to emphasise my unwavering commitment to fostering unity across Bedfordshire. As I have said on many occasions to many groups and communities, diversity is our strength, and we are one Bedfordshire. Let no one seek to divide us.
“When the far-right threatened communities in Bedfordshire we stood strong as a united community to challenge their hatred.
“I would also like to give reassurance to the people of Bedfordshire that perpetrators of this violent and hateful disorder are taken very seriously by Bedfordshire Police and the wider criminal justice system”.
Bedfordshire Police have teamed up with schools and local authorities in Bedfordshire to share the message that there is no place for hate in Bedfordshire.
The force’s Community Cohesion team is linking in with groups and pupils across the county educating about hate crime, what it is, and crucially, how to report.
John further commented: “I look forward to continuing to work with charities such as Luton Roma Trust and other partners, residents, and the local authorities to highlight the importance and benefit of solidarity and inclusion in Bedfordshire.
“People have a right to feel safe in their own county and I know that every local authority and serious political leader shared a commitment to ensure everyone’s safety”.
For more information, visit National Hate Crime Awareness week website.