Simplistic definition of hate crime

Peter Smith takes issue with my comments regarding the reported increase in hate crime, and in doing so makes two grave errors.

The first is his statement that I deny the existence of 'hate crime' - I do not deny that some crimes have at their root an element of hate.

What I contest is the far too simplistic belief that crime involving hostility or prejudice, based on a person's disability or perceived disability; race or perceived race; or religion or perceived religion; or sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation; or transgender identity or perceived transgender identity, has increased.

Incidentally, the claim it has increased is made annually. I am sure many of your readers will recall that in 2018 I wrote a letter outlining how the police 'welcomed any increase in the reporting of hate crime.'

The second error made and repeated by Peter is that I am outside of any of the groups identifies as 'protected. He is wrong, I am included in at least two of the groups.

Finally, Peter fails to mention that for a crime to be designated a hate crime, the victim is not required to identify it as such, anyone can.

Des Morgan

Carraway Drive

Swindon

Santa ready to send his letters in braille

With the festive season nearly upon us, Santa and his elves are already busy getting everything prepared to make sure every child has a magical Christmas.

As always, Santa is expecting to receive millions of letters from children all over the world with asks of what they’d like to receive in their stockings on Christmas Day.

To make sure that every child can read his reply, Santa has teamed up with the Royal National Institute of Blind People to make his letters available in accessible formats, including braille, audio and large print, for children who have a vision impairment.

Last year, the elves sent 1,465 letters from Santa to blind and partially sighted children across the UK, helping them experience the same magic of Christmas as sighted children.

If you know a child who has a vision impairment and who would love to receive a letter from Santa, please send their Christmas letter to: Santa Claus, RNIB, Northminster House, Northminster, Peterborough, PE1 1YN.

Santa has also gone digital! Email santa@rnib.org.uk by Wednesday 22 December for an email response with a large print attachment. Letters can also be requested through RNIB’s website at www.rnib.org.uk/santa.

On behalf of Santa, his elves and all at RNIB, we wish you a Merry Christmas!

David Clarke

Director of Services at the Royal National Institute of Blind People

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