An initiative to drive down hate crimes committed against taxi drivers and encouraging cabbies to report crime is to be extended to include takeaways and other fast foot outlets.
The campaign, launched in July, involved taxi firms across Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale being issued with window stickers and posters for cab officers, which encouraged victims to report hate crime and warned offenders that hostility and prejudice caused by a hatred of disability, gender, race, religion, belief or sexual orientation would not be tolerated.
Officers said it was so well received it is now going to be extended.
Det. Sgt Phil Turner, from Pennine Division's Hate Crime & Diversity team, said: "Hate crime of any description will not be tolerated in Pennine Division. It is simply not acceptable to abuse or hurt someone simply because of their race, sexual orientation or gender for example. All incidents reported to us are treated with utmost seriousness.
"That's why we're extending this campaign to encourage people to report incidents and discourage people from committing hate crime offences."
He concluded: "I would encourage anyone experiencing hate crime to act and report it. They can do this either via local police of if they prefer, via Stop Hate UK on 0800 138 1625."
Burnley Express
