West Midlands Pc becomes country's first football hate crime officer

Pc Stuart Ward will be based in a football unit and will be at the forefront of the unit's work to stamp out rising abuse against footballers and fans.

The 34-year-old was the victim of racial abuse as a young footballer and said it means he can provide support to victims as he knows what they are going through.

He 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."

Monitoring

Hate crime can cover a range of offences including abuse connected to race, sexual orientation, disability, religion or gender.

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 last season.

Pc Ward's 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.

Anyone who has been a victim of a football-related hate crime, or has information about an offence, can make a formal report by calling 101 or via the West Midlands Police Live Chat service.