Current timestamp: 11/08/2022 21:23:02
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

Thanks for trying the 'beta' version of our new website. It's a work in progress, we'll be adding new services over the next few weeks, so please take a look and tell us what you think.

Get started

staffordshire-police-logo

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Road traffic incident
    • Antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Overseas registration scheme
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
    • Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP)
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

Transfer window open for PC taking on first ever football hate crime role

Main article content

Navigation

News

13:41 29/07/2022

Staffordshire Police has appointed its first ever football hate crime officer to help fans, players and clubs across the county ensure they have the best possible experience at games.

PC Rich Lymer, who previously worked across East Staffordshire and as part of the force’s Road Policing Unit, took up his new role on Tuesday (26 July) - the same day that England’s Lionesses pounced into the final of the Women’s Euros 2022.

The new role will see PC Lymer not only become the force's Football Hate Crime Officer but also the dedicated football officer for Burton Albion FC.

The football hate crime officer post has been created as a result of the force’s continued work with football clubs across the county, including Stoke City, Port Vale, Burton Albion, Hednesford Town, Stafford Rangers, Tamworth FC and 23 other smaller non-league clubs around Staffordshire.

It comes as Staffordshire Police continues to carry out complex partnership working with local authorities, the Sports Ground Safety Authority and other emergency services, to ensure that the requirements of each match’s safety certificate are met while using best practices to improve match day experiences for fans, staff and the wider community.

PC Lymer said: “I am over the moon to be the first officer appointed to this new role.

“Of course, any instance of hate crime in the community is taken very seriously and while it’s a sad indictment of the times that we need a dedicated officer to take up this post, it shows how committed we are in Staffordshire to addressing this important issue.”

Earlier this year, the Home Office announced that football banning orders would be extended to include online hate offences, meaning online trolls could be banned from attending games for up to 10 years in England and Wales.

Part of PC Lymer’s role will see him work both at football grounds and online to monitor those committing hate-related offences surrounding games.

He said: “We are lucky here in Staffordshire to have such a thriving football community which runs from grassroots right the way through to the national team, with England being at St. Georges Park.

"This gives me fantastic opportunity to engage with a huge array of players and clubs alike while working with the fans of all these fantastic teams.

"The key focus of my role will be around engagement and education to try and change the views of a small minority who tarnish the beautiful game by acts of hate crime.

"I also will seek to work with our clubs, the CPS and the courts to ensure that those convicted of such offences receive sufficient penalties."

A hate incident is any incident which the victim, or anyone else, thinks is based on someone’s prejudice towards them because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or because they are transgender.

Not all hate incidents will amount to criminal offences, but it is equally important that these are reported and recorded by the police.

To find out more or to report a hate crime, visit: Hate crime | Staffordshire Police

Alternatively, contact us on Facebook, Twitter, or call 101.
Call 999 in an emergency.

Share

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Staffordshire Police

  • Contact us
  • News
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Thanks and complaints

Partners

  • Police.uk
  • Ask the Police
  • Police and Crime Commissioner

Follow us on:

© Copyright 2022. All rights reserved.