During National Hate Crime Awareness Week a bespoke hate crime reporting app will be launched that will make it easier to record and report all strands of hate crime in Worthing and Adur, and across Sussex.
The one-year pan-Sussex pilot is in partnership with Sussex Police, Brighton & Hove City Council Safer City Team, Victim Support and local authorities across Sussex including Worthing Borough Council and Adur District Council.
Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne, said the following about the need to invest in technology in the fight against hate crime:
“No one should be singled out and victimised because of their sexuality, gender, race, faith or disability.”
“Many minority groups have not always had the same trust in the police. I am determined to improve this for everyone and that is why I fully support any initiative that tackles hate crime, which is a key priority in my Police & Crime Plan.”
“Hate crime was also one of the five priority issues for my Youth Commission. In their final report they recommended the need to raise awareness of what constitutes a hate crime and how to report it and that there was a real need for the development of a hate crime app.”
“The modified app will empower victims of hate crime by allowing them to choose the kind of support they want to receive. Ultimately, the app puts the victim in the driving seat.”