Impact of hate crime highlighted in Derry

Community and political representatives in the Strathfoyle area have launched a new leaflet highlighting the issue of hate crime and its impact on the local community.
By Brendan McDaid
Published 7th Apr 2021, 09:13 GMT
Derry City and Strabane District Council Good Relations Officer Pauline O'Neill, Constable Noel McCluskey, Neighbourhood Policing Team, Community Safety Warden Adam Donnell, Councillor Rachael Ferguson, James Oâ€TMDonnell, Community Safety Warden, Martin McCartney, chair of Maydown Community Association Councillor Jim McKeever, Nikki Yau from the Migrant Centre NI who support the victims of race hate and Harassment. pictured at the launch of the Hate Crime leaflet in Strathfoyle. Picture Martin McKeown.Derry City and Strabane District Council Good Relations Officer Pauline O'Neill, Constable Noel McCluskey, Neighbourhood Policing Team, Community Safety Warden Adam Donnell, Councillor Rachael Ferguson, James Oâ€TMDonnell, Community Safety Warden, Martin McCartney, chair of Maydown Community Association Councillor Jim McKeever, Nikki Yau from the Migrant Centre NI who support the victims of race hate and Harassment. pictured at the launch of the Hate Crime leaflet in Strathfoyle. Picture Martin McKeown.
Derry City and Strabane District Council Good Relations Officer Pauline O'Neill, Constable Noel McCluskey, Neighbourhood Policing Team, Community Safety Warden Adam Donnell, Councillor Rachael Ferguson, James Oâ€TMDonnell, Community Safety Warden, Martin McCartney, chair of Maydown Community Association Councillor Jim McKeever, Nikki Yau from the Migrant Centre NI who support the victims of race hate and Harassment. pictured at the launch of the Hate Crime leaflet in Strathfoyle. Picture Martin McKeown.

The leaflet has been put together by the Council, the PSNI and community partners in the Enagh area.

It highlights the increase in crimes of this nature locally, and provides information and contacts for victims.

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Earlier this month Council invited representatives from groups to update them on the work ongoing in the community to challenge antisemitism, racism, sectarianism, Islamophobia and other forms of scapegoating. Members pledged to step up efforts to work with partner agencies.

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The leaflet is part of a wider programme of support being delivered by Council’s Good Relations Team, and Community Relations Officer Pauline O’Neill said the community in Strathfoyle were keen to send a message that anyone should feel welcome.

“Hate crime can take many forms and there has been an increase in incidents in the area which has prompted this action and brought community and political leaders together to take a strong stance on this issue.

“Groups have issued a joint statement which sends a clear message that racism, homophobia, sectarianism, transphobia or any other form of abuse or intolerance is simply not accepted by the Strathfoyle community.”

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Speaking on behalf of the Migrant Centre NI, which supports the victims of race hate and harassment, Nikki Yau said: “It is very important to the community to know that hate crime is not acceptable and we are here to give full support to all the hate crime victims.”