Stephen Lawrence Day 22 April 2019

To support the inaugural Stephen Lawrence Day on 22 April, Devon & Cornwall Police have been working with students at Falmouth University to raise awareness and help prevent hate crime. A series of animated videos explaining what hate crime is and how to report it have been created by the students.

Stephen Lawrence Day is a day to commemorate and celebrate the life and legacy of Stephen Lawrence, who was senselessly murdered in south London in 1993. Announced by Prime Minister Teresa May last year, the day is intended to provide a focus for schools, communities and organisations to engage in activities that empower and inspire young people to live their best life.

This first short film is entitled: "Apple". It uses animation to show how people can be discriminated against because of race, religion or disability. The film was produced by Jamie Alcantara, Erin Clarke, Naomi Benham, Jack French, Hamish Campbell and Rory Free – all students at Falmouth University – in collaboration with diverse communities team officers, PC Kevin Silver and Sergeant Jules Jamaa Ben M'Hand, both based in Cornwall. Further animations will be released over the next few months.

Sergeant Jules Jamaa Ben M'Hand from Devon & Cornwall Police said: "It is fitting on Stephen Lawrence Day to showcase the talents of a group of young people studying animation at Falmouth University. This is the first of a series of films that have been made to be published and used by police and the wider community, aimed at raising awareness of different types of hate crime and incidents and to encourage the reporting to police." 

PC Kevin Silver from Devon and Cornwall Police said: "As a force we have a zero tolerance to hate crime of any type. We are continually working with partners and community groups to help educate and raise awareness around this crime with the overall aim to prevent and reduce the number of people being victims.

"The project with students at the Falmouth University has given us some really interesting and new approaches to communicate our message and we are hoping by encouraging people to watch the animations they will have a better understanding and tolerance to people and prevent further incidents. I would like to thank lecturer Derek Hayes for his massive support in all the work that has been done."

Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer said: "This is an excellent example of vibrant partnership and collaboration between our diverse communities teams and the students of Falmouth University. These short films are an engaging and a brilliantly creative way of conveying important messages.

"Hate crime is not a trivial matter and causes great distress to victims. We recognise that in some cases the trauma for victims can be life changing. We are committed to investigating all forms of hate crime; it is a serious matter and one that continues to be a priority.

"We want all victims of hate crime to have confidence in reporting it to the police. We will continue to work closely with our partners who work tirelessly to support victims across all of our communities. Everyone deserves to live in safety and without fear."

Anyone who has been a victim of a hate crime should report the incident to the police. For more information on hate crime and how to report it, please visit the Devon & Cornwall Police website: https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/advice/threat-assault-abuse/hate-crime/

Apple is available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWmxP1ZMfl4