New hate crime reporting centres open at Three Rivers leisure centres
Victims and witnesses now have more ways to report hate crimes confidentially in Rickmansworth and South Oxhey
Two leisure centres in the Three Rivers district are now serving as third-party hate crime reporting centres, offering more options for victims and witnesses to safely report incidents without contacting police directly.
William Penn Leisure Centre in Rickmansworth and South Oxhey Leisure Centre, both owned by Three Rivers District Council and managed by Everyone Active, have trained staff ready to support individuals experiencing or witnessing hate crime.
Hate crimes include assaults, threats, vandalism, or any criminal act motivated by a person’s disability, race, religion, transgender identity, or sexual orientation. Research has long shown that hate crimes are underreported, with many victims hesitant to involve the police due to various concerns. The council's third-party reporting scheme aims to reduce these barriers.
Everyone Active has committed to making police reports on behalf of those who wish to remain anonymous or do not want direct contact with law enforcement. These reporting centres provide a supportive and confidential setting, ensuring that victims can come forward safely.
Cllr Steve Drury, Lead Member for Community Engagement, Public Safety & Housing, said:
“While Three Rivers is generally a safe and tolerant area, unfortunately, hate crime and incidents do occur. We do not accept and tolerate any bigotry or racism. That is why I am pleased that our district has more centres for people to report a hate crime or incident, further breaking down the barrier that people may have when reporting a hate crime.”
He added, “Three Rivers District Council’s head office, Three Rivers House, in Rickmansworth as well as our Healthy Hubs in Mill End, South Oxhey and Abbots Langley are also third-party reporting centres for hate crimes. We remain committed to keeping our area safe and welcoming, and supporting victims who face discrimination.”
The new reporting centres join a network of existing locations designed to make reporting hate crimes simpler and more accessible for everyone in the Three Rivers community.