Safer Cornwall joins forces with local Businesses for Hate Crime Awareness Week 2024

31 October 2024

Safer Cornwall has been actively engaging with local businesses to promote safety and inclusivity throughout Cornwall.

From 12-19th October, local partners connected with over 160 businesses in key towns, including Redruth, Falmouth, Truro, Newquay, and Bodmin, to encourage these businesses to show visible support for hate crime awareness.

Why Hate Crime Awareness Matters for Businesses

Hate crime remains one of the most underreported offenses in Cornwall and the UK, affecting not only individuals but also the communities they belong to. By fostering awareness and providing accessible reporting methods, Safer Cornwall is empowering businesses to play an active role in creating confidence in reporting. Businesses that openly support hate crime awareness help to signal that discrimination and hatred have no place within their premises—or their communities.

Safer Cornwall’s Initiative: A Simple Sticker with a Powerful Message

One of the primary awareness efforts involved inviting businesses to display a dedicated window sticker.

This sticker includes a QR code that links directly to the Devon and Cornwall Police website’s hate crime reporting page, making it easier for individuals to access reporting resources. This small gesture contributes to raising awareness among customers and passersby, encouraging reporting by making the process more visible and accessible.

A Dual Approach: Business Crime Action Week

Coinciding with Hate Crime Awareness Week was Business Crime Action Week, during which Safer Cornwall teams, alongside Devon and Cornwall Police, discussed additional concerns affecting local businesses, such as shoplifting and other common business crimes. Safer Cornwall highlighted reporting

systems, such as the DISC crime reporting tool, now adopted by various towns across Cornwall. DISC allows businesses to report and share information about local criminal activity, helping to foster a more proactive approach to preventing business crime in the community.

Building a Safer Cornwall Together

Cllr Carol Mould, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods said “Safer Cornwall’s efforts this week highlight the importance of community-wide involvement in reporting and combating hate crime and business-related offenses. By participating, businesses contribute to a Cornwall where everyone feels safe and supported.

“Hate Crime Awareness Week serves as a reminder that reducing hate crime and enhancing community safety is a shared responsibility. With the visible support of local businesses, Cornwall takes another step towards becoming a safer, more inclusive place for all.”

To find out more about Hate Crime visit https://safercornwall.co.uk/hate-crime/

To report hate crime visit https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/ro/report/hate-crime/information/v1/hate-crime/how-to-report-hate-crime/

You can also report Hate Crime anonymously via Crimestoppers https://crimestoppers-uk.org/keeping-safe/personal-safety/hate-crime

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