Hate crime ‘still a real problem’ in south Warwickshire says blind man

MHLC-30-08-13 NHS protest Aug82
Campaigners are staging a protest outside Chris White's office against NHS cuts and the impact they fear the cuts will have on disabled people. — MHLC-30-08-13 NHS protest Aug82 Campaigners are staging a protest outside Chris White's office against NHS cuts and the impact they fear the cuts will have on disabled people.

Vaughan Rees turned up to join a protest against prejudicial crime directed against disabled people outside Warwick and Leamington MP Chris White’s office last Friday organised by DPAC (Disabled People Against Cuts) - but unfortunately he was the only person who made the effort to do so.

Mr Rees told the Courier that he had been knocked to the ground by the driver of a van in Sherbourne on a dark night in November 2010, and again by a tractor while he was walking on a footpath in the village in July this year. On the first occasion, a witness provided a statement to the police and officers spoke to the alleged perpetrator - but no action was taken.

Mr Rees, who also complained to the Independent Police Complaints Commission and to Mr White, said: “We know the prejudice exists, which is abhorrent. I believe these incidents were both attacks directed at me because of my disability.

“I am calling for the law regarding hate crime to be taken seriously because it is not at the moment.”

Chris White, who had not been at his office when Mr Rees was there last Friday, said: “I certainly take disability hate crime very seriously indeed. I have said the same to Mr Rees and I am always ready to hear from him again.”