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Hate Crime Reporting Centre

We are extremely proud to announce that Barnfield College has been selected to become a Hate Crime Reporting Centre, not only for students but also open to the public.

 
Barnfield College is the first Educational establishment in the county to become a Hate Crime Reporting Centre. We consider this an incredible privilege to be able to offer support to the community in this capacity, and to work closely with Bedfordshire Police.
 

WHAT IS HATE CRIME?
HOW DO I REPORT A HATE CRIME?
HATE CRIME YOUTH CONFERENCE MAY 2018
BARNFIELD COLLEGE ON ITV NEWS
HATE CRIME AWARENESS WEEK 2017
 

What is Hate Crime?

A Hate Crime is any incident which constitutes a criminal offence, which is perceived by the victim or any other person as being motivated by prejudice or hostility towards their:

  • Race
  • Religion
  • Disability
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Gender Identity/Transgender
  • Alternative Sub-Culture
  • Age

A Hate Incident, however, may or may not constitute a criminal offence, but is perceived as being motivated by prejudice or hostility.

Read more about Hate Crime on the Bedfordshire Police website

Watch Bedfordshire Police’s video on Hate Crime

Barnfield College staff and students with Sgt James Hart

Hate Crime Reporting

Hate Crime is believed to be massively under-reported, and unfortunately, on the rise. In 2017, the UK has had approximately 6% increase in reported Hate Crime and 34% increase in incidents. So it is key that victims and witnesses speak up.

Part of the strategy to encourage this is to provide the public with the opportunity to report Hate Crimes at locations other than Police Stations. That’s where Third-Party Hate Crime Reporting Centres like Barnfield College come in.

Sgt James Hart

“I would like to welcome Barnfield College to our Hate Crime Third Party Reporting Centre network here in Bedfordshire. Barnfield College will be the first educational establishment open to members of the public that encounter prejudice and discrimination. Multiple staff members have now been trained to take reports and submit them through the on-line reporting portal True Vision. It’s been great working with Barnfield College and I look forward to developing our relationship moving forward.”

Sergeant James Hart, Hate Crime Tactical Lead, Bedfordshire Police

How do I report a Hate Crime at Barnfield College?

If you are a member of the community and would like to report a Hate Crime, please call us on our designated Safeguarding/Hate Crime reporting line on: 01582 569 916.

Alternatively you can make the report in person by visiting our New Bedford Road Campus at Barnfield Avenue, Luton, Beds, LU2 7BF or our Enterprise Way Campus at Enterprise Way, Luton, Beds, LU3 4BU. When you arrive, please ask for one of our Hate Crime Ambassadors (The Student Engagement Team). Reports can also be made anonymously!

To give you an idea of the sort of questions you will be asked, and for a list of useful contacts, please see our Hate Crime Questions & Useful Contacts PDF.

Report Hate Crime Here posters
Barnfield College Hate Crime Youth Conference poster

Barnfield College Hate Crime Youth Conference 2018

To help raise awareness in the local community of Hate Crime in its various forms, we held our first ever Hate Crime Youth Conference at Barnfield College on Wednesday 2 May 2018.

This invitation-only event was open to young people age 13-16 from a selection of the local schools, with whom we work very closely. The aim of the event was for students to leave as ‘Hate Crime Ambassadors’ and to embed this at their respective schools.

The event featured guest speakers from a range of local organisations, including LGBT Links Luton, Bedfordshire Police Community Safety & Community Cohesion teams, Att10tive and Faith Matters.

Screen shot of Barnfield College on ITV website

Barnfield College on ITV News

In December 2017, ITV News Anglia visited Barnfield College to film a report on the College becoming a Hate Crime Reporting Centre!

The report aired on the local 6 ‘o’ clock ITV News on 4 January 2018. If you missed it, you can view the full report online at ITV.com.

See the Twitter post about the report.
 

What other ways are there to report Hate Crime?

There are many other ways you can report Hate Crime:

Hate Crime Awareness campaign poster
Hate Crime reporting posters

How can reporting Hate Crime at a Third-Party Reporting Centre help a victim?

  • Emotional support
  • Practical support
  • Explore options and rights
  • Evidence building
  • Partnership working
  • Confidentiality
  • Accessibility
  • Anonymous reporting as long as not a significant risk of harm
  • Choice for victims

#HateCrimeAwarenessWeek – 16-20 October 2017

We held Hate Crime Awareness Week in the Hub at our New Bedford Road campus in October 2017. You can re-visit the event on our social media channels:

If you have any questions about Hate Crime reporting, call 01582 569 916 or drop in and see us at either campus.

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