The South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) and Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), have supported a Celebrating Diversity Event held in Sheffield.
The event, held at Sheffield Town Hall, took place to mark Race Equality Week 2023.
Speakers at the event included Sheffield Lord Mayor, Sioned Mair Richards; Leader of Sheffield City Council, Councillor Terry Fox; Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council, Kate Josephs; the PCC, Dr Alan Billings; and Councillor Maleiki Haybe.
The VRU and PCC, along with other Sheffield organisations, ran engagement stalls at the event, speaking to attendees about their work, and reaffirming their commitment to support equality and diversity in the city.
Graham Jones, Head of the South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit said: “The theme of this year’s Race Equality Week is ‘it’s everyone’s business’, recognising that we all have a responsibility to tackle racism and discrimination, and build a more equal society.
“Race Equality Week provides an opportunity not just to appraise the progress we have made in this area, but also to recognise that there is much more work to do, and identify what proactive steps we can take to make progress.
“At the Celebrating Diversity Event, the VRU joined with other organisations in reaffirming our commitment to equality and diversity.”
Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner said: “As Police and Crime Commissioner, I am committed to promoting equality here in South Yorkshire, both within the organisations I am responsible for and in wider society.
“For policing, this means striving to increase the diversity of the South Yorkshire Police workforce, so that it represents and reflects the communities it serves.
“It also means ensuring that people of all communities in South Yorkshire are treated fairly and without discrimination by their police force.
“This is one of the priorities I have set for the Police in my Police and Crime Plan, and I regularly hold the Police to account in this area.”
