DIFFERENT cultures and communities from across Thurrock celebrated being “One Thurrock” at Quarry Hill Primary.
The event was funded and hosted by Community Development and The Thurrock Community Safety Partnership. It outlined the borough’s commitment to combat Hate Crime with the launch of Minimum Standards of response for Victims and Witnesses of Hate Crime.
Entertainment at the event highlighted the diversity of communities and cultures in the borough. Nepalese dancers took to the floor with two traditional dances and young people joined in a street dance demonstration.
Quarry Hill Primary & Pre School has recently changed from separate junior and infant schools to a combined primary and pupils from the school performed stories and songs. Year 2 pupils told the story “Tusk Tusk” about separate elephant tribes and how they learned to live together highlighting the way different communities can get along together. The Key Stage 2 choir sang a variety of songs including one in Spanish.
Head teacher Mr Cowpland said: “ We were delighted to host this event, and welcome so many representatives from different Thurrock Community groups to our school. Teaching tolerance is an essential part of any school curriculum and I am very proud of the way our pupils show their understanding of different cultures and the need to respect and celebrate differences in individuals and groups.”
Thurrock Police District Commander Chief Inspector Paul Moor said: “This was a fantastic event which highlighted just what a wonderful diversity we have in Thurrock and we should celebrate this. It also helped to communicate the more serious message that Hate Crime will not be tolerated in our borough. Victims will be supported and perpetrators brought to justice.”
Refreshment was provided by the Alcohol Peer Mentors from the Thurrock Youth Cabinet who mixed alcohol free “mocktails” to order and members of the Community House, Seabrooke Rise, Grays, who led a Wii Fit exercise session.
Video testimonials were played featuring community groups who have been victims of Hate Crime. Essex Police and Thurrock Council Portfolio Holder for Community, Culture and Leisure, Councillor Lynn Worrall highlighted the work and pledges being made to reduce the incidents of this kind of crime.
Hate Crime is any criminal offence, committed against a person or property that is motivated by the offender’s hate against people because of their gender, race, religion, disability or sexual orientation.
Hate Crime can be: verbal or physical abuse, harassment – including through texts, e-mails and mail, graffiti, damage to your property – including offensive material being posted through your letter box.
To encourage reporting of Hate Crime, posters with information on how to report are being displayed across the borough and a new series of booklets have been produced targeting specific groups. The message is clear:
Don’t Suffer in Silence – Report It to:
Police officer/Police station or Hate Crime Unit on 0300 333 4444 ext 360376
Thurrock Council’s Community Protection Team 0n 01375 652211
Your local housing office
Victim Support on 0845 456 5995.
T.R.U.S.T. (Thurrock Racial Unity Support Taskgroup), a voluntary organisation, on 01375 385316 www.thurrock-trust.org.uk.
EGM “Essex LGBT People” have an anonymous online report form -www.reporting-counts.org.uk
– Telephone: 01245 250 256
– Text: 07949 348820
– Email: office@essexgay.org.uk
– Web: www.essexgay.org.uk
Thurrock Coalition on: 01375 389864
Thurrock Disability Network HYPERLINK “mailto:disabledinthurrock@ymail.com” disabledinthurrock@ymail.com
