Tackling ‘hate crime’ is a priority for local police

She used her report to Ballymena Policing and Community Safety Partnership to brief members on the various steps police have taken to curtail the problem.

“Hate crime remains a priority and is the subject of close monitoring and supervision. Officers are trained in identifying the various kinds of hate crime and in so doing escalating a response to the crime. This eeks to secure victim confidence and address community concerns.

“PSNI have partially funded the Ballymena Bilingual Advocacy service with Ballymena PCSP and officer attend Ballymena Friendship Club which brings together members from minority communities who are new to Ballymena and inform them of local support and advice networks.”

She said that police continue to promote the ‘Hands off my friends’ camapign which provides information to victims of hate crime, enabling and ecnouraging them to report such incidents.