Last week, David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire and Jo Coles, Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime hosted a roundtable conversation about the challenges faced by faith communities across our region including antisemitism and islamophobia, and about how communities can support each other in facing these challenges.
Attendees of the meeting included representatives from York Mosque, the York Liberal Jewish Community, the Church of England, York Interfaith Group, North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council’s Community Safety Partnerships, and North Yorkshire Police.
Examples of hate-related behaviour were shared by the group, including verbal abuse towards a local shop owner, inappropriate comments at a public festival and the targeting of community signage. Concerns about vandalism, burglaries and sensitivities around flags were also discussed.
A key part of the two-hour discussion involved the need to improve confidence in reporting hate crime going forward. The attendees agreed that education, prevention and partnership working are essential, including better youth engagement and clearer links with existing hate crime action plans.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said:
“Everyone should feel safe and be safe in York and North Yorkshire, people should be able to practice their beliefs without fear.
“When we sit down together, we find that we have more in common that what divides us.
“I am proud that York and North Yorkshire is a place that welcomes people of all faiths, but I know there’s more to do to make sure people feel safe, and are safe, and give our communities the confidence to report hate crime when they see it.”
Jo Coles, Deputy Mayor of York and North Yorkshire said:
“Hate crime has no place anywhere in York and North Yorkshire and no one should feel unable to practice their religion because of hate or intimidation.
“But over recent months there have been increases in reports and in wider concerns about safety among certain communities.
“So, it was good to join many of our local faith leaders, police and community leaders to discuss what else we can do to ensure everyone feels safe. Huge thanks to North Yorkshire Police for all the work they are already doing.
“One of the challenges we discussed was how to encourage people who are victims of hate crime have the confidence to report what has happened.
“Early next year we will be ensuring those reporting channels, support networks and the hate crime data are all published on a regular basis which we hope will improve community confidence.
“But there’s more to do so we’ll continue to meet to ensure we stay alert to other actions needed in this area”
To report a hate crime, visit Report a hate crime in North Yorkshire
