Deputy Mayor Cllr Mick Barton of Mansfield District Council has signed a “No to hate!” pledge at the National Holocaust Centre, Laxton.

The aims of the pledge are to show commitment to tackling hate crime and to raise awareness of it in our communities.

This comes after the council re-endorsed and updated its policy on reporting hate crime earlier this year in a delegated decision by the Deputy Mayor, who is Portfolio Holder for Public Protection.

A hate crime is an incident that can be perceived as being racist, homophobic or transphobic, or due to a person’s religion, beliefs, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

The “No to hate!” pledge encourages organisations to do their best to tackle prejudice, reach out to support those who are targets of hate, and to better educate the community about the serious nature of these crimes.

Hate crimes can include threatening behaviour, assault, robbery, damage to property, harassment and enticing others to commit hate crime. Cyber bullying (using Facebook and Twitter etc) to share abusive comments and threats is also considered a hate incident. Hate incidents could ultimately lead to arrest by the police and possibly a prison sentence.

Deputy Mayor Cllr Mick Barton said: “In Mansfield we recognise that everybody has a role to play in tackling hate and discrimination to promote a safer community.

“We are working hard to help people recognise exactly what a hate crime is.

“At this time when we are welcoming those affected by war to our town, we hope the community can come together to show respect and understanding.”

People can report hate incidents to the police and more information on how to do this can be found on the Nottinghamshire Police website. You can also report to the council either on the council website or by filling in a form in person or by calling 01623 463463. There are details about how to support and help victims of hate crime on the council website at http://www.mansfield.gov.uk/hatecrime