We all 'hate' hate crime - and now EHU student's union are doing something positive about it...

It's partnered with Lancashire Constabulary to make the Students’ Union Campus Advice Centre a permanent Hate Crime Reporting Centre, as part of Hate Crime Awareness Week 2017.

Reporting a ‘Hate Crime’ means that if someone commits a crime against someone because of their race, sexual orientation, religion, gender identity or disability, they can get a tougher sentence.

Rosie McKenna, VP Welfare at Edge Hill Students’ Union told QLocal this afternoon: "In the wake of Brexit, hate crime has been on the rise in the UK. I think it’s crucially important that we have the facilities to support students, and for students to report hate crime and hate incidents.

"Together, we can and will stamp out hate”.

EHSU’s Advice Centre offers free, independent, confidential advice to students on a range of issues, including money trouble, landlord problems, depression and homesickness. The Advice Team are very popular with Edge Hill Students as they offer an approachable, informal support service, making them an ideal choice for a third party reporting centre.

“We want the public to have as many options available to them for reporting hate crime, and we take it incredibly seriously. Our advice is always: Call 999 in an emergency, call 101 to speak to your local police force, visit a third party hate crime reporting centre, or report what’s happened online at www.report-it.org.uk.

"We’re really happy to be working with Edge Hill Students’ Union on this project," said Denise Chapman, the force's Valuing Difference and Inclusion Coordinator.