PSNI to showcase response to hate crime in Europe

Inspector Robin Dempsey, of the Police Service Community Safety Branch, has today embarked on a trip to Latvia, in a plight to showcase the work of the PSNI in responding to hate crime in Northern Ireland to an audience at the Latvian Centre of Human Rights.

The seminar in Latvia will hear about how policing has adapted in Northern Ireland and how the PSNI have tackled the challenge of increasing diversity and the rising number of hate incidents across Northern Ireland.

Important new initiatives detailed in the new 'Service Hate Incident policy,' introduced in March 2006, will be outlined including the importance of accurately recording incidents, appropriate supervision and the importance of ensuring victims of hate incidents are afforded the proper support.

Last month, a number of Latvian visitors came to the province and spoke to officers in South Belfast regarding how the PSNI are responding to hate crime in Northern Ireland.

They were particularly interested in the work of the police minority liaison officers who are responsible for supporting victims and pro-actively reaching out to minority and vulnerable individuals and groups.

The two-day event will be attended by Latvian police, prosecutors, government and council officials and representatives of non-governmental organisations.

This year to date the PSNI have recorded over 1200 hate incidents throughout Northern Ireland.

(EF/KMcA)