Wiltshire Police has approached the liveaboard boating community seeking people to participate in its new Independent Advisory Group (IAG) in East Wiltshire. The police are particularly looking for members of minority groups, or representatives of organisations that work with minorities or vulnerable people. One liveaboard boater is part of a similar advisory group with Wiltshire Police in West Wiltshire, and reports that a workshop took place with Wiltshire Council looking at gathering information about hate incidents and associated crimes such as anti-social criminal damage and gender abuse, and assessing the reporting of these crimes.
Any incidents of hate crime, anti-social behaviour, gender abuse and related crimes can be reported online via True Vision at http://www.report-it.org.uk/home in addition to using 999 if a crime is being committed or 101 if it is not an emergency.
Wiltshire Police say that the aim of the IAGs is to allow the community to express views and advice in relations to policies, actions or changes and to build on this information to help its hub commanders set the framework of future policies to meet the needs of all within Wiltshire’s communities.
The police are looking for people who live or work or have a significant interest in the Wiltshire area; can attend quarterly meetings, probably in police premises, and who are willing to apply and be vetted.
As well as liveaboard boaters, examples of the diverse community members the police are looking for include the rural community; older people; young people; people with disabilities; members of ethnic minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people; members of faith groups; the military community and the business community. The list is not exhaustive.
If you’re interested in taking part in the Independent Advisory Group, or would like to talk over being a member, contact the Area Community Co-ordinator, PC 2460 Teresa Herbert, email Teresa.Herbert@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk
See also http://www.report-it.org.uk/home
Tags: community safety, crime, discrimination, hate crime, liveaboards, minorities, police, Wiltshire police