Tameside leaders speak out against hate crime

Two church leaders from Droylsden have joined the chorus of shock following an outbreak of racist graffiti in a neighbouring Tameside town.

Denton has been blighted by recent attacks of graffiti which have appalled community leaders across Tameside.

But all rallied round this week to condemn the attacks, including the Rev Jo Farnworth, vicar of St Andrew’s and St Martin’s, Droylsden and the Rev Philip J Cooper, Minister of Fairfield Moravian Church and Ecumenical Officer for the Moravian Church in Great Britain and Ireland.

The Rev Farnworth said: “I love being a vicar in Tameside and value the diversity of our borough - it’s a real joy to live and work alongside people from different backgrounds.

“There should be no place in this borough for race hate as it divides and weakens us. We are so much stronger and can do great things when we hold together, so let’s make sure we all keep supporting and respecting each other.”

While the Rev Cooper stated: “Racism grows out of ignorance and fear. It seeks to unfairly and unjustly blame certain sections of our society for problems that they are not responsible for at all.

“We must all stand together against discrimination, prejudice and racism in all its forms. We must all stand together for a just and equal society, where all people of every ethnicity, culture and faith can contribute to the common good. 

“The diversity of our culture in Tameside is to be celebrated and that diversity enriches us all.”

Chief Inspector Lee Broadstock, of GMP Tameside, said: “In Tameside we have no place for hate. I have a request to the residents of Tameside who have shown their outrage at these actions, please come forward if you have information about the perpetrator – let’s come together and unite against hate crime.”

Cllr Allison Gwynne, Tameside Council Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Community Safety and Environment added: “We will not stand for hate and division here and actions motivated as such will not be tolerated. No one should face hate, violence or abuse because of who they are.”

Support is available for victims of hate, visit www.letsendhatecrime.com or contact Crimestoppers to give information anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Read more from the Tameside Reporter

Click here for more of the latest news

Click here to read the latest edition of the paper online

Click here to find out where you can pick up a copy of the paper