Here’s how a diverse Manchester community is uniting to fight hate crime

The Greater Manchester Hate Crime Plan (2024-2028) aims to make our city region a safer, more inclusive place for everyone.

With a focus on education, early intervention, and improving support for victims, this four-year plan seeks to bring people together and reduce the division that hate crime creates.

The plan’s launch coincides with National Hate Crime Awareness Week and has received widespread support from key partners, including Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and local councils.

The Greater Manchester Hate Crime Plan

The event, held at Manchester Cathedral, was filled with optimism and a clear commitment to ensure Greater Manchester remains a place where everyone can feel safe and valued.

Kate Green, Deputy Mayor for Safer and Stronger Communities, stressed the importance of tackling hate crimes at a time when many communities, including Muslim, Jewish, and Ukrainian populations, are feeling vulnerable due to recent global conflicts and local tensions.

She said, “Everyone has the right to live in safety without fear.

“By empowering communities and emphasising education, we can bring people together and reduce division across our neighbourhoods.”

At the heart of the plan are six priorities designed to create lasting change, including raising awareness of hate crime, preventing it through education, and building confidence to report incidents.

Manchester is aiming to be a safer, stronger place for all

The ultimate goal? To make Greater Manchester a safer, stronger place for all.

Superintendent Mike Russell of GMP echoed these sentiments, urging anyone who has been a victim of hate crime to come forward.

“We will listen to you and ensure you get the justice you deserve,” he said, reaffirming the force’s commitment to protecting all residents, no matter their background or identity.

In Greater Manchester, hate crime affects individuals based on race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, transgender identity, and even alternative subcultures. With over 9,600 incidents recorded between September 2023 and August 2024, this new plan marks a critical step in addressing the issue head-on.

Together, Manchester is showing that hate has no place here, and through unity, we can create a future where everyone is free to live without fear.

To learn more about the Hate Crime Plan and find out how you can get involved, visit Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s website by clicking here

Which organisations are involved with the Greater Manchester Hate Crime Plan?

Greater Manchester Police, Ten Local Authorities, Crown Prosecution Service, Transport for Greater Manchester, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, NHS GM, Race Equality Panel, LGBTQ+ Panel, Youth Combined Authority, Disabled People’s Panel, Faith and Belief Advisory Panel, Women and Girls Equality Panel, Older People’s Equality Panel, Catch 22 and Wider partners across GM