Dacorum schoolchildren to learn about hate crimes with new resources from police

Children in Hertfordshire will now learn about hate crimes and how to combat them, thanks to a new scheme.

Herts Against Hate launched a free teaching unit this week (May 18) for schools to use in Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) lessons.

The teaching pack was produced by the Herts for Learning Wellbeing Team for Hertfordshire County Community Safety Unit and includes lessons and resources for Key Stage 2 and 3 pupils (Years 5-6 and 7-9).

Hertfordshire’s hate crime lead, Detective Chief Inspector Pete Frost said that the force wants young people to know that hate crime is wrong and should be reported.

He said: “The impact of hate crime can be devastating. It can cause people to lose their confidence and be fearful about coming and going from their home, being out and about in public places or just going about their daily lives.”

Cllr Morris Bright, cabinet member for community safety at Hertfordshire County Council, said: “We want to make Hertfordshire safer for everyone, rejecting hatred and violence of all kinds. The lesson resources are a simple way of teaching children about hate crime, how to report it and showing understanding and empathy to victims of hate crime.”

Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd said: “We know crimes motivated by hate can have a devastating effect on victims and communities.”

He added: “We must ensure that we continue to work together to prevent hate crime and bring offenders to justice, while also giving victims the confidence to report the crime allowing them to cope and recover.”