Further to the discussions that the Leader of Council and I had with the newly elected Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Commissioner, Dafydd Llewelyn, what work is being undertaken by Powys County Council, in partnership with Dyfed Powys to monitor incidents of intolerance and hate crime in our communities? Incidents that I am aware of in recent months in the South of the County range from school yard taunting of the children of EU nationals about ‘returning home’ post Brexit to criminal damage of commercial premises. Given our need to keep our communities here in Powys secure, tolerant and welcoming, how is this work being promoted by Powys County Council within the recently constituted Public Service Board, in furtherance of the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015?
Minutes:
Further to the discussions that the Leader of Council and I had with the newly elected Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Commissioner, Dafydd Llewelyn, what work is being undertaken by Powys County Council, in partnership with Dyfed Powys to monitor incidents of intolerance and hate crime in our communities? Incidents that I am aware of in recent months in the South of the County range from school yard taunting of the children of EU nationals about ‘returning home’ post Brexit to criminal damage of commercial premises. Given our need to keep our communities here in Powys secure, tolerant and welcoming, how is this work being promoted by Powys County Council within the recently constituted Public Service Board, in furtherance of the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015?
The Council treats racism and intolerance very seriously. The Chief Executive has promoted the work undertaken by the “Show Racism the Red Card”, which is an organisation in partnership with the schools service, and the council has funded workshops in schools across Powys and circulated teaching and learning resources in support of this. All schools have comprehensive personal and social education programmes in place which includes a focus on global citizenship. Schools have behaviour and anti-bullying polices which ensure that there is a consistent approach to any racial incident. Any racial incident is reported to the authority.
Hate Crime is monitored as part of the work of the Powys Community Safety Partnership under Community Cohesion. The Partnership comprises representatives from the County Council, Dyfed Powys Police, Powys Teaching Health Board, the National Probation Service, Community Rehabilitation Company, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and the Youth Justice Service. I have copied an extract from the minutes of the September meeting for your information. It is clear that all agencies are active with interaction with the Dyfed Powys Hate Crime Forum but that the current data suggests low levels of hate crime. Council staff have been encouraged to attend hate crime awareness sessions set up via that forum, with the next sessions due in late November 2016. The Council’s Community Safety Coordinator Fay Smith has also asked partners to look to support community projects and this work will be assessed. We will ensure that the incidents you have stated have been correctly referred and are investigated by the appropriate agencies.
EXTRACT FROM CSP MINUTES
Post EU Referendum Hate Crime concerns. There were 12 Hate Crime Referrals in Powys to Victim Support for June 2016, this compares with 7 for June 2015. With low numbers and the lack of detailed data, it is not possible to identify any peaks or interpret any patterns. It may be the case that the majority of experiences may relate to low level verbal abuse that are not reported. It would be advisable that with the on-going debates around the UK exit from the EU that CSP partners are aware and linking in with community
In response to Councillor Powell’s supplementary question the Leader said he would ensure that Councillors were copied into invitations to future hate crime awareness sessions.
Supporting documents: