Businesses in Westmorland and Furness are being urged to strengthen support for staff experiencing hate crime, improve reporting and preserve evidence to help police investigations.
Westmorland and Furness Council and Cumbria Police are working together through Operation Hail during Hate Crime Awareness Week, taking place from 10 to 17 October, to raise awareness of hate crime and its impact on individuals, families and communities.
As part of the campaign, police officers will visit businesses and employers to provide guidance on recognising hate crime, supporting victims and preserving evidence that could assist investigations.
Hate crime can take place in workplaces and may be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards a person's race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity.
The council said employers had an important role in ensuring staff felt safe reporting hate-related abuse, intimidation or harassment, with incidents taken seriously and acted upon appropriately.
Councillor Judith Derbyshire, cabinet member for community safety, said employers were often among the first people victims approached for support.
“By encouraging reporting, supporting affected staff and helping preserve evidence, businesses can play an important role in ensuring victims receive the help they need and assisting agencies take action against those responsible,” she said.
Businesses are being encouraged to ensure staff know how to report hate crime and access support, while preserving relevant evidence such as CCTV footage, emails, messages and witness details.
The campaign also calls on employers to promote a workplace culture based on respect, dignity and inclusion.
Anyone experiencing or witnessing hate crime can report it to Cumbria Police by calling 101 or through its website. Emergencies should be reported by calling 999. Reports can also be made anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Operation Hail forms part of wider partnership efforts in Westmorland and Furness to improve awareness and reporting of hate crime and ensure victims receive appropriate support.