Anthony Walker was just 18 when he was murdered in a racially motivated attack in 2005 and the Liverpool foundation set up in his name is now stepping up its efforts to tackle hate crime

A new tool for reporting hate crimes is being launched by the Liverpool-based Anthony Walker Foundation.

Anthony Walker was just 18 when he was murdered in a racially motivated attack in Huyton in Merseyside in July 2005. His death shocked the city region and his family set up the foundation to promote racial harmony through education, sport and the arts.

On Monday, February 22, the day after Anthony’s birthday, the charity will launch a new tool, funded through the Race and Faith Grant scheme run by the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government, that will make it easier for people to report hate crimes safely and anonymously.

Information received will also allow the Anthony Walker Foundation to gain insight into real-time reports, which will inform and support intervention to combat hate crime. It form’s part of the charity’s wider Speak Out! Stop Hate campaign.

According to Government statistics, in the year ending March 2020, there were 105,090 hate crimes recorded by the police in England and Wales, an increase of 8% compared with year ending March 2019 (97,446 offences).

And, in 2020, the Anthony Walker Foundation saw a 126% increase in people accessing support compared to the previous year, across Merseyside.

Dominique Walker, vice chair of the Anthony Walker Foundation, said: “Whether because of confusion around what constitutes a hate crime, a lack of awareness, or simply not knowing where to go, the amount of hate crimes going unreported is incredibly worrying and, without this insight, it is much harder for us to tackle the issue head-on.

“This campaign provides much needed fresh impetus for everyone to feel empowered to step up and oppose hate crime in any way we can.

“Whether it’s reporting offences, responding effectively to those experiencing hate crime, or putting measures and resources in place to prevent hate crime, we can all collectively contribute to making our communities safer for all.”

Speak Out! Stop Hate has been created in partnership with social enterprise, Agent Academy and will also include the delivery of a host of education and training opportunities, to raise awareness and increase confidence when tackling hate crime across the Liverpool city region.

Zoe Wallace, director at Agent Academy, added: “Encouraging and supporting young people to tackle the issues that are most important to them, is at the heart of Agent Academy, which is why we’re so proud that this campaign is powered by young people, who are passionate about leading a movement for change.”