Welwyn Hatfield Police celebrate Black History Month

Officers in Welwyn Hatfield have been joining together with residents and local partners as the borough celebrates Black History Month.

On Saturday 18 October, officers joined together with Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and the fire service for a special community event to celebrate Black History Month. Taking place at Hatfield Fire Station, the event saw local Hate Crime Officer PC Natasha Redman on hand to offer support and advice. There was also a stall for residents to speak with the Hertfordshire Black and Asian Police Association and the Hertfordshire Association of Muslim Police.

On Friday 16 October, officers hosted a stall at Oaklands College in Welwyn Garden City. Both this event and the fire station event fell within Hate Crime Awareness Week so officers used the opportunity to explain the support available for victims of race-related hate crimes.

Hate Crime Officer PC Natasha Redman said: “It’s been great attending these community events to celebrate the contributions of Black people in Welwyn Hatfield. It’s really important to us that the Black community feel we are listening to them and I hope those we spoke to feel reassured that we care. During the events, we encouraged our Black residents to join our Race and Inclusion Board (RIB). The forum gives residents the chance to scrutinise the constabulary’s work and provide guidance and feedback on Race issues.

“With Hate Crime Awareness Week falling in the same month, we spoke to the Black community about the specialist support that is available for victims of race hate crimes. Anyone who has been the victim of a hate crime can request the support of a specially trained Hate Crime Officer. We know the impact these crimes have not just on you, but your community, and we are here to help you through the criminal justice process.”

If you would like to find out more, or join the RIB, please visit herts.police.uk/police-forces/hertfordshire-constabulary/areas/about-us/race-and-inclusion/race-inclusion-board-rib/race-inclusion-board-rib/

Race is one of nine protected characteristics outlined in the Equality Act 2010. The other eight are age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation. A hate crime is any criminal offence perceived to be motivated by hostility or prejudice against these characteristics.

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