WEST Mercia Police joined forces with their Warwickshire counterparts to make a renewed commitment to offer a personalised service to hate crime victims, last year.

A new hate crime strategy, which launched on Monday, June 12 2017, set out the role officers and staff play in responding to and investigating hate crimes, and the service victims can expect. The strategy for the first time made mention specifically to Islamophobic hate crime, referencing the MAMA campaign aiming to monitor offences against Muslims.

A new hate crime section was also set up on the force’s website, providing information for victims, details of how to report incidents, the service victims can expect, and contact details for support groups.

Hate crime, both locally and nationally, is underreported, with an estimated half of all offences not being reported to police. Chief Superintendent Charles Hill said when interviewed last year: “Despite a steady increase in recent years we know that they are still underreported and this is why we felt it was important to set out exactly what victims can expect when they contact the police."

“From the moment a victim of hate crime contacts the police they should have the confidence that they will receive the highest levels of service. “Through this strategy we are aiming to ensure that we provide the highest standard of investigation, service and support to victims of hate crime. We’re also actively encouraging victims of hate crime to hold us to account - we’re setting high standards and we want to ensure we’re meeting them.”

West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion added: “Tackling hate crime is a priority for me. I want to create safer communities, which work together."