Lyons pays tribute to frontline housing staff following hate crime incidents

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has paid tribute to the courage and commitment of frontline housing staff in the light of a rise in hate crime attacks.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pictured with Grainia Long, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

Speaking at a visit with Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) staff in Antrim today (Thursday 15th August) the Minister said:

“I want to pay tribute today to the courage and commitment of frontline housing staff in the light of a rising number of hate crime attacks.

“Over the last 12 months, 131 hate crime incidents have been reported, with 22 taking place in the first week in August. These target people who are entitled to live in safety and peace in their homes and also housing staff who are simply doing their job.

“I commend our housing teams including those in the Housing Executive, Housing Associations and Supported People and Homelessness providers, who continue to support tenants, including children and the most vulnerable in our society, to keep them safe from harm despite coming under threat themselves.”

The Minister added:

“I am working closely with my Ministerial colleagues and I welcome the united political leadership on this issue in Northern Ireland. There’s never any justification for violence and it should not be tolerated.

“I would encourage anyone who has experienced any form of attack to come forward knowing that they will be supported by the Department’s agencies and those within criminal justice.”

Notes to editors: 

1. Photo caption: Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pictured with Grainia Long, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
2. The Department for Communities has responsibility for the oversight and support of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and is the regulatory body for Registered Housing Associations. 
3. For media enquiries please contact the Department for Communities Press Office
4. Follow the Department on Twitter @CommunitiesNI
5. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekend and public holidays.

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