West Midlands PC is UK's first dedicated officer tackling rising racism and hate crime in football - The Coventry Observer

West Midlands PC is UK's first dedicated officer tackling rising racism and hate crime in football

Coventry Editorial 11th Jan, 2021   0

WEST Midlands police officer Stuart Ward is the UK’s first dedicated hate crime officer based in a football unit.

He will be using his personal experience of racist abuse to lead the force’s efforts to tackle racism and hate crime in football – which has become  has become increasingly prevalent online, police report.

The 34-year-old said: “I’m mixed race and growing up I was racially abused. I remember being 11-years-old and playing football for a junior side.

“It came from another player and the thing that stuck with me was how no-one did anything about it, other than my mum who stopped the game and took me off the pitch.




“There were parents, match officials, the other players – who were old enough to know right from wrong – who didn’t challenge the comments or support me.

“So having sadly been subjected to discrimination I know the feelings and the impact it can have on you.


“I feel I’m in a position where I can offer help and support, while looking to take action against those involved.”

Last season there were 287 reported hate crime incidents connected to matches in England and Wales. Kick It Out also revealed there were was a 42 per cent rise in reports of discrimination during the same period.

PC Stuart Ward

Stuart’s new role will include investigating complaints of hate crime linked to football, monitoring online interactions and working with the region’s clubs. This includes both professional and amateur level to highlight what is an offence and the importance of reporting it.

He will also be going into schools to educate children around discrimination – continuing the on side youth and yellow card intervention and prevention programmes – and link in with other bodies such as Kick It Out.

When stadiums re-open following the Covid-19 pandemic,  Stuart will work alongside other members of the football unit to monitor any offences. Hate crime can cover a range of offences including abuse connected to race, sexual orientation, disability, religion or gender.

Stuart said: “We need to change this culture, we’re a multi-cultural society and it’s important we educate people around hate crime to stop it happening.

“Clearly, we’ll look to take enforcement action too and won’t hesitate to take people to court where appropriate.

“I’ve spent 12 years as a response officer – along with some time as a football spotter – and I’m proud to have been given the role as dedicated football hate crime officer.

“I enjoy the game and want everyone else, whatever their background, to feel comfortable in doing so too.”

Sgt Lizzie Lewandowski, of WMP’s football unit, added: “It’s incredibly sad to see football – a game for everyone – being used by some to fuel hate crime.

“Abusing a footballer or another fan for the colour of their skin, sexual orientation, for having a disability or their religion can never be confused for ’banter’.

“We’ve seen a rise in unacceptable vitriol online – particularly since stadiums have been empty – and it’s a real focus for us, alongside our ongoing intervention and prevention work with clubs.

“We hope the appointment of Stuart as a dedicated hate crime officer will help put us at the forefront of changing, challenging and stopping such appalling behaviour.”

Follow @FootballUnitWMP for updates from Stuart and the rest of the team on the work of the unit. Anyone who has been a victim of a football-related hate crime, or has information about an offence, needs to make a formal report by calling 101 or via the Live Chat service on the West Midlands Police website: https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/your-options/hate-crime

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