Hate crime victims encouraged to share experiences

The two councils have launched an online survey for people to share their experiences

Victims and witnesses of hate crime in south Warwickshire are being asked to share their experiences with the aim of tackling the issue in specific locations and communities.

Warwick and Stratford-on-Avon district councils have launched a survey, which can be completed anonymously until 20 November.

Warwick District Council’s portfolio holder for communities, councillor Jim Sinnott said the issue was under-reported in the area.

Leamington Spa town centre has been identified as a location of concern.

"Improvements are needed in order to increase confidence in the reporting process and to broaden the support on offer to victims," said Sinnott.

"We therefore hope that this survey will empower people who are affected by any form of this criminal offence to come forward and be recognised.

"We will then be able to take the action that is needed."

Hate crime is any criminal offence that is motivated by hostility or prejudice due to a person's race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or transgender identity.

In August, Warwickshire Pride's festival site in Leamington Spa was vandalised, and subsequently reported to police.

Gazebos were destroyed, glass was thrown around the site, and flags were torn down and burned.

Similar damage was caused in 2023, and in 2019, its banners and flags were torn down.

In 2018, the chair of Warwickshire Pride, Dan Browne, set up a Pride stall at a market in Stratford-on-Avon, and subsequently received more than 100 homophobic comments over the course of three hours, which were investigated as hate crimes by Warwickshire Police.