Last updated at 16:31, Wednesday, 13 March 2013

HATE crime against disabled people is on the rise in Millom, a disability support group has warned.

RISE IN ABUSE South Copeland Disability Group secretary Noel Moore is concerned about treatment of disabled people REF joe riley: 50016196B000

South Copeland Disability Group, based at Millom Network Centre in Salthouse Road, has seen a rise in complaints received from its members in the last 12 months.

Group secretary Noel ‘Rocky’ Moore, 70, speaking after a meeting on Monday, said the group had gone from zero complaints to three in the last year.

The complaints relate to verbal abuse, although the victims did not want to be named.

Mr Moore said: “When we first discussed this with the police they were talking about an increase in complaints around the country, but we had heard nothing here.

“Then over 12 months we suddenly had one, two, three complaints.

“We know that there are a lot more out there but people are reluctant to make a fuss about it.”

Gary Jackson, chairman of the group, described how being subjected to verbal abuse can “completely trash” a disabled person’s day.

He said: “Unfortunately some people seem to think that disabled people are getting concessions for nothing and feel they are able to approach them about it. It can be very scary for some people.

“I have been accosted in Barrow myself but I’m quite a robust person. I was approached by someone who told me that I wasn’t disabled enough for a disabled parking bay, despite the fact I had my wheelchair in the car.”

Mr Moore said: “It can leave disabled people thinking ‘What do the rest of the community think. Do all my neighbours think I am a scrounger?’”

Mr Jackson said: “We would like to see the government painting a more positive picture of disabled people. It’s the government that sets the tone and the scroungers versus strivers rhetoric has not been helpful.”

Mr Jackson, 57, needed a wheelchair following a fall from a ladder at his home when he was 32.

He said: “It was a domestic injury, the sort of thing that could happen to anyone. You never know what is going to happen.”

If you or someone you know is subjected to a hate crime you can report it to police on 101.

Alternatively the disability group acts as a third party-reporting service.

People can contact Mr Moore on 01229 773341, or by email on rocky.moore95@bitinternet.com

First published at 16:16, Wednesday, 13 March 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk