Pub group backs anti-racism campaign, following Brexit

Harveys, which has a brewery and 49 pubs across Sussex and the south east, has pledged to spread the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC’s) zero tolerance approach to hate crime, following a spate of racist attacks in the UK after Brexit.

Migrants from the Continent have experienced a spate of hateful attacks following the Brexit vote, according to national news reports. However, Sussex’s PCC Katy Bourne has urged businesses and the public to support its #NoPlaceForHate social media campaign to stamp out the crime.

Harveys is the first brewer and pub chain to get involved in the campaign, which will allow the public to report hate crimes through a mobile phone app, while it has been rumoured JD Wetherspoon could soon show support.

Important initiative​

Operations manager for Harveys David Pritchard said: “Harveys Brewery is really pleased to be involved in such a sensible and important initiative such as the Self Evident hate crime reporting app.”

Harveys will promote the app on its beermats from today (29 July) until Sunday.

Bourne praised the pub group and brewer for supporting the campaign and said: “Like many, I have no time for bigotry and believe that no one should be singled out and victimised because of their race, faith, sexuality, gender or disability.”

While there were some light-hearted elements of the campaign, Bourne added, the PCC was sending out a very clear message that hate crime would not be tolerated in the county.

Guy Dehn, UK director of Just Evidence, the sister organisation where reports submitted on the Self Evident app can be accessed, said the Government was committed to giving people the practical tools to turn the tables on crime and injustice.

Clear message across pubs​

He added: “With Katy Bourne giving a lead nationally and Harveys promoting a clear message across their pubs, we are confident the app can help make Sussex no place for hate.”

The beermats will also be used at the Brighton Pride festival on August 8, following the atrocious attack on Orlando gay club Pulse​ on 25 June, in which 49 people were killed and 59 injured.

Pride director Paul Kemp said: “As with the theme of this year’s festival, everyone has the right to enjoy the same freedoms irrespective of their race, faith, sexuality, gender or disability.

“However, many of those from marginalised communities do not have the same confidence in the police and this is why we support the Self Evident app, which allows victims of hate crime in Sussex to access help and support without involving the authorities.”