People experiencing disability hate crime have used video booths to record how being a victim has made them feel.
The booths are part of Northumbria Police’s ‘It’s Never Too Late…end disability hate’ campaign, giving people the opportunity to talk about how being a victim impacted on their life.
A travelling booth was placed in six locations across the force area. Clubs and groups for people with disabilities were invited to use it, regardless of whether the crime had been reported.
The recordings will be used as part of a wider project showing the real impact of disability hate crime on young and old people. It will also be used to encourage greater reporting of disability hate crime.
Protecting Vulnerable People Chief Inspector Jackie Coleman said: “The video booths have been really popular, giving people of all ages the chance to tell how disability hate crime and anti social behaviour made them feel.
“Not only has this project given people the opportunity to talk about the impact of crime, it’s also given us the chance to share those thoughts and feelings.
“We hope people’s real stories will make offenders think about the consequences of their actions and the real hurt and upset their actions can cause.”
‘It’s Never Too Late… end disability hate’ was launched last year by the force to help improve hate crime reporting. As part of the campaign more than 80 Safe Reporting Centres were set up across the force area. The centres offer a refuge and place for people seeking assistance to report disability hate crimes if they don’t feel able to contact police directly.
Anyone who has suffered a hate crime or needs any advice or information should contact Northumbria Police on 101 ext 69191.
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