Hertfordshire's Hate Crime Partnership Board has welcomed Sherry Peck as its new independent co-chair. 

Sherry, who has extensive experience at a senior level in the commercial, statutory and charity sector, with over 25 years' experience in the delivery, commissioning, and management of services for children and young people both in London and nationally. She is chief executive of charity Safer London, chaired her first meeting last Wednesday 19 October. 

A long-time resident of Hertfordshire, Sherry said: "I am honoured to be selected to chair the Hate Crime Partnership Board and I am looking forward to working with colleagues across the county to progress the good work already underway." 

The board, which meets four times a year, is made up of representatives from public sector and voluntary organisations, including Hertfordshire County Council, the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner, Hertfordshire Constabulary, Beacon and independent organisations, like GATE (Gypsy and Traveller Empowerment). 

Chairing her first meeting online, she told attendees: "We're all here to change things for our community and I really welcome the opportunity to work with you all." 

Amie Birkhamshaw, Assistant Chief Executive at the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner and co-chair of the board said: "Although sadly I missed Sherry's inaugural meeting, I know that the whole board sees her appointment as great news. She has the passion and insight we hoped for and can help us to shine a light on the issues and help build relationships with communities. 

"Hate crime is an insidious crime that can have a corrosive effect on our communities and lasting, life-long impacts on victims. It is not tolerated in Hertfordshire. Police and partner agencies take hate crime very seriously." 

Hate crimes include assaults, threats or acts of vandalism, or any other crime committed against someone because of their: 

Disability 

Race or ethnicity 

Religion or belief 

Transgender identity 

Sexual orientation. 

Hertfordshire Constabulary has specialist hate crime officers to tackle and challenge these incidents, educate people and support those who have been affected. Don't ignore it, report it. 

💻 You can report hate crime online at herts.police.uk/report  

🗣 Speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact  

📞 Call the non-emergency number 101. In an emergency dial 999. 

💻 Or you can report hate crime online at report-it.org.uk  

↪️ For more information about where to report hate crime visit hertsagainsthate.org  

↪️ Find out how to report hate crime: hertsagainsthate.org