“Our flag is for everyone,” says police hate crime advisor in new podcast episode

A police hate crime advisor has called for communities to come together and warned against the misuse of national symbols in the latest episode of the Your VIP: Your Voice in Policing podcast.

The fourth episode of the series, produced by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, was recorded in Barnstaple and focuses on hate crime and community cohesion.

During the episode, Syed Jusef, who has advised Devon & Cornwall Police on hate crime issues for more than a decade, discussed the impact that the display of national flags can have on communities.

He said: “Our flag is for everyone. It is not for just one person or group. We all love the flag. This is our national flag; it’s for all of us. We all fight for that flag, and if we play cricket or football, we are all united for that flag.”

Cllr Jusef, who has lived in North Devon for more than 20 years and became the first North Devon District Council councillor from an ethnic minority background, said recent tensions linked to flags being placed in public spaces risked dividing communities rather than bringing them together.

He also raised safety concerns about people placing flags on lampposts, referencing the death in Bristol last year of a man who fell from a ladder while putting up flags at night.

Latest figures show that 2,437 hate crimes were recorded across Devon and Cornwall in the 12 months to November 2025 – an increase of 5 per cent compared with the previous year.

Most incidents were motivated by racial prejudice, followed by crimes linked to sexual orientation and disability.

Reflecting on the figures, Cllr Jusef suggested the real number of incidents may be higher and urged people to work together to build stronger communities.

He said: “We must forget about the politics. Whatever your colour, your gender, or your race, we are all human beings, and we should work together, live together and love each other to make it a better and safer community.”

Also speaking in the podcast was Andy Wills, who said 53 hate crimes were recorded in Barnstaple last year – one fewer than the previous year.

He explained that as part of his oversight role for hate crime within the force, every case is reviewed individually to ensure an appropriate response.

“In common with much of the country, hate crime here is a real issue, but not a particular issue,” he said.

Inspector Wills also highlighted the importance of maintaining cohesion in a town that is growing in both size and diversity.

“We all want to live in a cohesive community, and sometimes world events can lead to tensions being expressed locally, which shouldn’t affect us as neighbours.”

As an independent advisor to police, Councillor Jusef helps strengthen links between ethnic minority communities and the police, including supporting people who may face language barriers when reporting crime.

In his role as a councillor on Devon County Council, he has also campaigned for stronger action on hate crime.

After being elected to the Barnstaple North ward in 2025, he successfully brought forward a motion calling for zero tolerance of hate crime at the council later that year.

He said: “It wasn’t an easy subject to bring to county level, but I was confident people would support me. Our community is becoming more diverse, with a good number of minority people living in Devon, and I thought it was essential to bring that motion for their safety.

“They deserve to get respect. They’re living here legally, contributing to our economy, and deserve to be treated better.”

The episode also features residents and workers from across Barnstaple reflecting on life in the town and how safe they feel.

Mohammed, who works at a local fuel station and moved to the town from Pakistan, said he had found Barnstaple to be welcoming.

“I feel very safe and secure here. There is a lot of people helping, supporting, and I love this place.”

GP registrar Hiyo also described Barnstaple as a safe and friendly place to live, highlighting the town’s community spirit and visible police presence.

The Your VIP – Your Voice in Policing podcast gives residents the opportunity to share their views directly with Alison Hernandez and her office.