Leaders of Sheffield urge “to make things better” to reduce hate crimes in city

A discussion led by Sheffield Central MP Paul Blomfield MP looked to address concerns raised by Sheffield’s Chinese community following a racially motivated attack on a 19-year-old Chinese student at the end of April.

The meeting - which was attended by South Yorkshire Police, Sheffield City Council, University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield Chinese Community Centre, and businessman Jerry Cheung - proposed practical measures in attempting to reduce such incidents happening in the city.

Mr Blomfield said: “We were all distressed about the recent incident. Sheffield is a safe and welcoming city. Any incidents of hate crimes aimed at established communities is completely unacceptable.

“We want to do everything possible against these incidents and to reassure people.”

It was agreed that hate crimes would be taken “very seriously” in Sheffield and action would be taken “to make things better”.

Mr Blomfield said: “We want to work effectively, to reassure people that nobody should feel harassed on our street.”

He believes dealing with the issue is important in showing what Sheffield stands for and its values, as a safe and welcoming city.

Jerry Cheung, who initiated a campaign calling for change, told how he was encouraged by the meeting and believed it marked an important first step.

He said: “We need the people at the top to say they don’t accept these hate crimes.”

All parties expressed a “lot of willingness” according to Jerry, and he hopes that the work being done in Sheffield will “set an example to other cities”.

He added: “There are two ways to go about this. One is to say we don’t want this, or two, is to pretend it hasn’t happened.

“We need to ask, what is our ethic? What do we stand for in Sheffield?”

The discussion found that under reporting of hate crimes was a particular issue amongst students and the Chinese community, and it was agreed that the publicising of reporting hate crimes needed to be improved.

More support for victims is also needed.

South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Dr Alan Billings, said: “Protecting vulnerable people is one of the three priorities in my Police and Crime Plan for South Yorkshire.

“Any of us can become vulnerable and members of the Chinese community suddenly became the focus of some people’s irrational anger as the coronavirus began to reach the United Kingdom last year. This was especially true of Chinese students coming from South East Asia.

“I ask the police to take seriously and record all incidents of abuse and hatred and my office monitors hate incidents on a regular basis. I am particularly anxious that the Chinese community have the confidence to report any incidents.

“We know that some students come from countries where they would not necessarily turn to the police for help. And the Sheffield Chinese community is often reluctant to report directly to the police.

“So we have agreed that we need to find ways for them to report and receive support, either through their own organisations or the university.

“I am pleased that we are all working together – local political leaders, the police, the two universities and the Chinese community – to show that the vast majority of Sheffielders are sickened by hate incidents involving Chinese people and together we will overcome this and give support.”

Chief executive at Sheffield City Council, Kate Josephs, added: “One of the things I love about Sheffield is how wonderfully diverse we are. Sheffield is a city for all, and I am incredibly proud of our diversity and inclusivity. What I don’t tolerate, and nor should we as a proud and welcoming city, is hate crime. At the council we support all anti-hate crime actions across the city and we will actively support those who speak out against this type of crime.

“We are backing the call to encourage people to report incidents as they occur so that we can stamp out this behaviour, allowing people to feel accepted by their peers as they walk Sheffield’s streets, free of hatred.

“We are committed to working with South Yorkshire Police to make sure that those who carry out these crimes are brought to justice and we will continue to work with our partners in supporting victims and to educate those at risk of offending.”

Malcolm Butler, director of global engagement at the University of Sheffield, said: "The hate crime experienced by one of our students in the city centre was appalling and unacceptable, and we are doing everything we can to support the student. Incidents like this are thankfully very rare, but it is important that we send a clear message that hate crime and discrimination will not be tolerated in our city. We are committed to working with partners to ensure that Sheffield remains a safe city for everyone."

Claire Gandy, director of student support services at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “Sheffield Hallam University stands strong against all forms of hate crime. We welcomed the invitation from Paul Blomfield MP to join a round table discussion on how Sheffield can unite against racially motivated hate crimes and provide support to victims of crime. Both universities value and celebrate the diversity of our communities, and we will continue to work with all organisations across the city to keep Sheffield a safe place to study, work and live.”

There are many more conversations to be had but an action group has now been established.

Sarah Ng, chair of Sheffield Chinese Community Centre, added: “We had a constructive meeting. It was clear that all parties present wanted the best for its communities and citizens. I feel that the issues raised in terms of under reporting, and support for those facing hate, have been taken on board.”