Hate Crime Awareness Week: Muslim Community

According to recent figures, half of all reported religious hate crime in the UK is targeted towards people from the Muslim community.

Humberside Police want to crack down on all hate crime, but it is important for communities to see themselves represented by those in a position of authority.

As a Community Beat Manager in Grimsby, PC Nuha Khan is a visible presence in northern Lincolnshire and regularly engages with all sectors of the community.

Hear from Nuha about her work, the issues she encounters in her personal and professional capacity, and the work Nuha and the force as a whole are doing to tackle hate crime against Muslims.

“I have been racially abused whilst on duty. My mother and sister were also racially abused when I was younger.

“It has become the norm to pre-judge Muslims due to media coverage in relation to ISIS and now the Taliban and refugees seeking asylum.

“I have engaged with Afghan refugees as I can speak the same language as them.”

With the Taliban recently taking back control of Afghanistan, there are growing concerns of another increase in Islamophobia.

“Education about cultures is important. Don’t be scared to ask questions. Sometime the key is to engage and explain. From some of the interactions I have had as a PC with some youths, and teaching them about my culture, it has helped them understand.

“The public and community read articles and, as stated, pre-judge. I was called a terrorist numerous times when I was younger but, with a bit of education, this mind-set can change.

“From personal experience, Humberside Police is dealing with hate crime really well. I have been a victim of a hate-related public order offence and I had nothing but support.

“My aim is to break down cultural norms and to show that working as a constable is a viable career path.”

Humberside Police takes all reports of hate crime seriously. This Hate Crime Awareness Week we want to remind people to call it out and report hate crimes.

To report a hate crime, visit www.humberside.police.uk or the national hate crime website, call them on 999 in an emergency, or 101 for non-emergencies, or visit one of the four reporting centres across Hull. Information on where these centres are can be found here.