Leicestershire Police have apologised after using a stock image and a fictitious quote in a tweet aimed at encouraging transgender people to report hate crime. The tweet, posted during National Hate Crime Awareness Week, featured a photo of a person and a quote attributed to 'Jane, 57 - Hinckley', which referred to people deliberately calling her by her previous name.
The tweet was deleted after being highlighted by Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who criticised the force for being confused over 'what constitutes a hate crime'. She said police should 'enforce actual laws and fight actual crimes' and questioned the use of resources on 'politically correct campaigns'.
Temporary Chief Constable Rob Nixon said the photographs used were stock images and the text was 'provided by an experienced police staff member'. He admitted the force should have made clear the images were stock and the names fictitious. The force will review how it uses stock images and raises awareness of hate crime.
Mr Nixon defended the seriousness of hate crime, citing past devastating crimes. The Crown Prosecution Service defines hate crime as an offence targeting a victim's race, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity or disability.
