Newark: Nottinghamshire Police holds social media campaign against hate crime following the UEFA European Football Championship final
A Nottinghamshire Police social media campaign is taking place today (July 14) to raise awareness of hate crimes and how they can be reported.
The campaign, which is called Day of Action, came in response to the increase in racial abuse seen on social media following England's loss to Italy in the the UEFA European Football Championship final on Sunday.
While there is currently no evidence that these racist comments were from people living in the Nottinghamshire area, the force is using today’s campaign to help people realise what a hate crime is and how it can be reported and dealt with.
Superintendent Suk Verma, hate crime lead for the force, said: “We stand in solidarity with those players who have been treated in this appalling way.
"All the way through the Euros the England team has behaved impeccably and provided an excellent example in the way they have conducted themselves throughout. That is in sad contrast to the utterly vile comments posted on social media, racially abusing some of the players following Sunday night’s game.
“We are very clear as a force that racism, or any hate crime, should not be tolerated. As a BAME senior officer, father and footballer, I am both appalled and disgusted in what I have read. We all need to stand up against this disease.
“I am proud to come from a city which has such a long history of welcoming different and diverse communities. There is no room for hate against anyone because of the colour of their skin, or because of their culture or the way they look. All protected characteristics are exactly that — protected, which is why as a force we take a very firm line with anyone caught making such hateful comments — whether this is on social media or any other way.
“That is why today we are working with our partners to say there is no place for hate crime and urging people not to put up with it and instead report it into us to stop it.
“I would like to see a time when racists and other peddlers of hate crime have nowhere to air their frankly disgusting views. We want local people to feel safe in their communities, but such hatred can stop them feeling this way.
“The events across the country have saddened and shocked people and we need to all feel empowered to say this is not acceptable and call it out for what it is.”
To find out more about how to report a hate crime visit: https://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/hatecrime.