Following the tragic event that took place in Southport at the end of July 2024 and the violent scenes that have followed in various cities across the UK, we have been fortunate that the same level of violence and disorder has not been seen here in Wales.
However, tensions remain high. The network has pulled together these resources for those involved in maintaining order and community safety. This is to allow for preparation and learning for the future.
Ethnic Youth Support Team (EYST)
EYST have worked tirelessly to ensure communities across Wales have had access to support they need. There are some really helpful updates and links included in their August newsletter.
Welsh Government
Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice, Jane Hutt MS, has written to third sector partners following the racist and Islamophobic violence and disorder in England and related tensions and fears in Wales.
The First Minister, Eluned Morgan, has written a statement to outline what is being done to support the safety of people and communities in Wales.
Wales Strategic Migration Partnership (WSMP)
The WSMP are a pivotal support partnership for Migrants and Asylum seekers in Wales or wanting to seek refuge. They have produced these information leaflets on Hate Crime.
This leaflet is available in:
Police Forces
All four forces in Wales have web pages for reporting hate crime.
- Dyfed Powys Police – Report hate crime
- Gwent Police – Report hate crime
- North Wales Police – Report hate crime
- South Wales Police – Report hate crime
Cabinet Office
The Cabinet Office shared suggestions for messaging on disorder based on behavioural science literature.
Education
The education sector shared this letter in the context of the Israel/Gaza situation with links that may be useful.
Next steps
- There is a lot of work ongoing with Welsh Government and extended partners to consider a communications framework.
- All Councils are encouraged to ensure Back-to-School plans have been updated so staff have information on support services for pupils/ staff that have been impacted by the recent disorder, or who are victims of bullying/ hate crime.
- Councils are asked to consider their current position in terms of FOI and the potential risk if appropriate steps are not taken should an FOI request be received about Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMO). Safeguarding could be a legitimate reason to not include HO housing providers on FOI responses and would assist in keeping locations out of the public domain. It has been suggested that councils may wish to consider using powers under section 38 of FOI Act, which would mean an exemption for reasons of health and safety of the occupants.
