City of Sanctuary: Organisations join third party report network for hate crime victims

Third Party Reporting Centres (TPRC) for hate crimes were established in the city by Hampshire Police in partnership with Portsmouth City Council and other organisations at the end of last year to allow victims to report incidents anonymously providing as much detail as they want and decide whether to give their details to the police.

Force community cohesion officer William Bergstroem said: ‘It is widely known that hate crime is significantly under-reported and that there are many barriers to why victims may not wish to report directly to the police.

‘TPRCs overcome some of these barriers by providing an alternative means of reporting hate crime in a manner led by the victim.

‘Our reporting centres are based within other organisations across the city. We hope the introduction of these centres will give people the confidence to report any hate crime they may be experiencing or have witnessed to help us tackle these types of issues in our communities.’

The centres are based at Portsmouth Disability Forum, British Red Cross, University of Portsmouth, Advice Portsmouth, Citizens’ Advice, Portsmouth Mediation Service and the Ethnic Minority Achievement Service

Witnesses and third parties can also report through TPRCs.

Police and Crime Commissioner Michael Lane said: ‘A hate crime attacks a person’s core sense of identity and belonging within society. It is important that victims of hate crime and those witnessing can feel confident and supported in reporting these crimes, be it to the police or one of the more than 70 Third Party Reporting Centres across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton, no matter where they are.

‘It’s only through working in partnership with communities that we can make a real difference for the most vulnerable members of our society.’

The scheme is also being supported by Portsmouth City of Sanctuary; a group of more than 100 organisations across the city which aims to connect important projects and services across the city to offer support to vulnerable groups in the community.

Portsmouth Football Club, the British Red Cross, ArtReach and the University of Portsmouth are among the groups involved and last month Admiral Lord Nelson School in Copnor became the first school of sanctuary in Portsmouth.

Malcolm Little, refugee support service manager for the British Red Cross in Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Surrey said: 'It’s important that as many suitable venues become a TPRC for hate crime reporting as possible in the city, and this needs promoting.

‘Our British Red Cross service specifically supports refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants in Portsmouth, and the vast majority are treated with welcoming respect. However, for those who are not, as well as anyone else in the community, its great that they have a safe, accessible, anonymous means to report incidents.’

To find the nearest centre visit hampshire-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/taking-action/hatecrime/third-party-reporting-centres