Police launch disability hate crime awareness month

The force is encouraging victims, friends, family and support workers to report any incident where they believe they, or another person is being targeted because of their disability.
Figures released by the force show that in the last financial year, 106 disability hate crimes were reported, although the actual number of such crimes committed is expected to be much higher.
Head of diversity at Thames Valley Police, Insp James Willis, said: “While low crime figures may be seen as encouraging, in reality we think there are disability hate incidents and crimes which are going unreported.
“This could be due to fear of repercussions after speaking to the police, not realising that what is happening to them is a crime in the first place, or victims could believe nothing will be done to support them.
“Most astonishingly of all, I am aware that some people genuinely believe that being targeted because of their disability is just a way of life for them.
“This is absolutely not the case and I want to encourage people to report any incident where they have been targeted and they believe it is because they have a disability.
“Thames Valley Police will not tolerate any hate crime or incident and police are able to intervene in these incidents, but it is important that the incidents are reported in the first place.”
“I want to encourage anyone who may be suffering as a victim or who may be witnessing this type of crime to please report it to police as soon as possible.”
Anyone wanting to report a disability-related hate crime can do so by calling the 24-hour police hotline 101.