For those of you that don’t know, hate crime can be an act of violence or hostility directed at a person or group because of who they are or what they think they are.   

It can come in many different forms such as physical attacks, a threat of attack and verbal abuse or insults – and the sad reality is that it can happen to anyone.  

That’s why during this week, we are working with local groups and organisations to organise sessions that will inform you of how to report it and how you access the support you need, both as a victim or a witness.  

Sessions on the implications of hate and the effects it can have on a person’s life are also scheduled, with the aim being to educate and deter participants from potentially performing future hateful acts.  

Greater Manchester Police will be running pop-up sessions across the borough too, with your local Police Community Support Officers on hand to have face-to-face discussions about hate you may have received or seen.  

 Here’s a full list of what we have going on throughout the week:  

Saturday 9 October  

  • Syngesis CIC will be hosting a women’s group to discuss about implementing ideas on raising awareness and reporting. Syngesis CIC will also be appearing on PBTV to raise further awareness in Oldham.  

  • Oldham Boxing club will be holding a three-day session to tackle hate crime, including a number of workshops and personal experiences (from former gang members) to raise awareness.  

  • GMP information stall, 3-4pm, Asda, Greenfield Lane, Shaw, Oldham OL2 8QP  

Sunday 10 October  

  • No events taking place.  

Monday 11 October  

  • GMP information stall, 1-3pm, Werneth Park, Lifelong Learning Centre, Frederick Street, OL8 1RB 

  • GMP information stall, 3-5pm, Co-Op, Owl Mill Street, Lees, OL4 3BP  

Tuesday 12 October  

  • GMP information stall, 10am-12noon, Chadderton Wellbeing Centre, Burnley Street, Chadderton, OL9 0JW  

  • GMP information stall, 10am-1pm, Oldham Library, Greaves Street, Oldham OL1 1AL  

Wednesday 13 October  

  • GMP information stall, 9am-12noon, Neon Centre, Holt St, Oldham OL4 2DQ  

  • GMP information stall, 1-3pm, Tesco, Featherstall Road N, Oldham OL9 6BW  

  • GMP information stall, 10am-12pm, Tesco, Oldham Road, Failsworth, M35 0EJ  

Thursday 14 October  

  • GMP information stall, 2-4pm, Honeywell Centre. Hadfield St, Hathershaw, Oldham OL8 3BP  

Friday 15 October  

  • GMP information stall, 10am-1pm, Oldham Library, Greaves Street, Oldham OL1 1AL  

Saturday 16 October  

  • GMP information stall, 11am-2pm, Tommyfield Market Hall, Albion St, Oldham OL1 3BG  

On top of this, we will also be running a social media campaign to share important messages around hate crime and the stories of those who have been affected and we encourage you all to support this.  

 You can follow the council on the following channels:  

  Let’s not allow hate to divide our borough. We stand together.  

Want to report a hate crime?  

Why you should report hate crimes  

If you tell us what is happening, different agencies (such as the Police, Local Authority, charities and housing providers) can take action against the perpetrator and support victims and witnesses.  

So, when you report hate crimes, you are making a bigger difference than you may think, and you are helping us make your local area safer.  

Most hate crimes are sadly not reported but your reports help us to understand how hate crime affects your community and then tackle the problem.