Swansea City AFC Foundation and Police and Crime Commissioner mark hate crime awareness week with Newtown Kicks Session

Swansea City AFC Foundation and police and crime commissioner for Dyfed-Powys, Dafydd Llywelyn, marked Hate Crime Awareness week at the Premier League Kicks session in Newtown.

Hate Crime Awareness week aims to encourage more people to report crimes which target people because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

Llywelyn, alongside local police community support officers (PCSOs), delivered a workshop for the young participants detailing what hate crimes are, how to spot them and the importance of reporting them.

Llywelyn was delighted to see so many young people engaged in the session and was glad to be able to share a vital message with them.

“It's important that our neighbourhood policing team engage with the youngsters about being respectful to people and making sure they know how to call out if they need help as well,” said Llywelyn.

“They know now they can come to the neighbourhood policing team, PCSOs, officers themselves, and speak to teachers and coaches. It’s all about delivering the messages through the fun of playing football.

"Every area has problems like anti-social behaviour, so getting the youngsters engaged with activities such as this, where they can just turn up and play football is really important. We can then start linking in with the policing team and making sure they’re engaged with the sessions - that is what it’s all about.”