Independent chair sought for Hertfordshire Hate Crime Partnership Board

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Hertfordshire’s Hate Crime Partnership Board is seeking an independent chair to lead meetings and hold board members to account.

The board, which meets four times a year, is made up of representatives from public sector and voluntary organisations, including Hertfordshire County Council, the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner, Hertfordshire Constabulary, Beacon and independent organisations, like GATE (Gypsy and Traveller Empowerment).

Amie Birkhamshaw, Assistant Chief Executive at the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner, has led meetings for some time and the board agreed it is appropriate to have a chair who is separate from the public sector organisations represented at meetings.

‘We’re hoping someone with passion and insight will step forward to take the baton,’ said Amie. ‘We would particularly welcome applications from those with lived experience of hate crime across any of the protected characteristics.

‘Hate crime is an insidious crime that can have a corrosive effect on our communities and lasting, life-long impacts on victims. We want to have an independent chair who can shine a light on the issues and help build relationship with communities.’

She added: ‘The partnership board has a strong focus on raising awareness of hate crime, what it is and how to report it, and is keen to spread knowledge across our communities. This isn’t just a police issue, of course, it’s much wider than that, which is why it is right that an independent voice takes the lead. Hate crime is not tolerated in Hertfordshire. Police and partner agencies take hate crime very seriously.’

While it is a volunteer role, expenses will be paid, and expressions of interest are requested by Thursday 28 October to be emailed to County Community Safety Unit Programme Manager Kate Moore kate.moore@hertfordshire.gov.uk

There’s more detail in the online advert here: V/132/H – Chair – Hertfordshire Hate Crime Partnership Board (Voluntary) – Tri-force (tal.net)

Hertfordshire’s Hate Crime Partnership Board meets quarterly and drives the direction for the work around hate crime within Hertfordshire. The meetings are an opportunity to discuss all aspects of hate crime from awareness raising, criminal proceedings and community engagement.

For an informal discussion, please contact Community Safety Chief Inspector Pete Frost via pete.frost@herts.police.uk or County Community Safety Unit Programme Manager Kate Moore kate.moore@hertfordshire.gov.uk.

There’s more about Hertfordshire Hate Crime Partnership Board on the website hertsagainsthate.org.