Hate crime: West Midlands Police commission new £200,000 support after homophobic attacks in Birmingham

The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner has commissioned new £200,000 support funding for victims of hate crime after a rise in homophobic attacks in Birmingham in recent months.

The funding comes with West Midlands Police currently investigating an attack in the gay village on Saturday night, 10 October, in which a man was hit with a bottle.

West Midlands police said that officers are investigating other homophobic hate crimes and are “determined to get justice for victims”.

‘Hate will not win’

Following the rise in violent attacks, a new £200,000 service has been commissioned to support victims of hate crime.

In a joint statement, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster, the Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street and the Leader of Birmingham City Council Cllr Ian Ward, said: “The recent abhorrent, vicious homophobic attacks in Birmingham disgust the three of us in equal measure.

“For someone to be assaulted because of who they are or who they love is simply not acceptable.

“But hate will not win and our message to the homophobes is that they do not represent Birmingham, and they never will. Everyone has a right to feel safe on our streets, no matter where they are, day or night.”

The statement continues: “West Midlands Police has increased patrols in and around the Gay Village and the Police and Crime Commissioner has commissioned a new £200,000 service to support victims of hate crime.

“Meanwhile, Birmingham City Council is providing free hate crime training to businesses at Southside venues as well as helping to develop a space open to anyone who may be feeling vulnerable when out and about in the Gay Village and the local area.

“Whilst the West Midlands Combined Authority has been working with Southside Bid and other partners to look at issues such as CCTV and 24/7 public transport to improve night-time safety in the area.

“We are a diverse city. We are an inclusive city. We are a city that says no to crimes like these.

“The message from us could not be clearer: We are proud of our region’s diversity. We are proud of our difference. We all feel an unwavering duty to stand together, to root out these crimes and to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

A message from the editor:

Thank you for reading. BirminghamWorld is Birmingham’s latest news website, championing everything that is great about our city - reporting on news, lifestyle and sport. We want to start a community among our readers, so please follow us on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram, and keep the conversation going.