A MAJOR campaign has been launched to stamp out race hate in Wrexham.
The “All Sorts” campaign, unveiled at Wrexham’s Guild-hall, was launched under the banner of One Wrexham.
The three-pronged campaign aims to increase public aware-ness, launch reporting centres to encourage victims of race hate to report incidents and education of children and young people.
The public campaign uses an image of liquorice allsorts under the strapline: “racism comes from all sorts of people! hate hurts! Wrexham does not tolerate race hate crime.”
Leader of Wrexham County Borough Council, Aled Roberts said: “We are committed as a community to make this work. This isn’t a council initiative, it’s a community initiative.
“Racism is not a new issue, it is a phenomenon that has been with us many years. We have to challenge long-term views and this is a long-term com-mitment. We want to make Wrexham a greater, happier, friendlier place to live in.”
A range of posters depicting victims of race hate crimes have also been produced to promote the launch of the Third Party Reporting Centres.
Research showed victims of hate crime may be reluctant to report incidents to police and that they can also fear reprisals from the perpetrator.
The council has developed community venues, known as Third Part Reporting Centres for victims of hate crimes to make a confidential report. These will include the council’s housing area housing offices, the Salvation Army headquar-ters in Rhosddu and BAWSO (Black Association of Women Step out) in the town centre.
Wanjiku Mbugua, manager of BAWSO said: “Just because somebody is black or speaks with an accent does not mean that Wrexham is not their home too.”
