A Police and Crime Commissioner has called time on using ‘X,’ formerly Twitter, stating she “cannot, in good conscience be part of a community where hatred is so rife.”
Northumbria’s PCC, Susan Dungworth, announced her pledge to move away from the social media platform at a hate crime and community cohesion conference held in Newcastle on Friday.
In recent months, a growing number of businesses, police forces, councils, MPs, and charities have announced they have stopped posting on X or have removed themselves entirely from the social media channel. Many have made the move due to the spread of misinformation or disconnect with the site’s values.
Susan Dungworth echoed these reasons at a conference entitled ‘Being you is not a crime – communities tackling hate crime together.’ It was hosted jointly by Northumbria Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. More than 160 practitioners from a range of backgrounds and professions attended to discuss the impact of hate crime and explore ways of promoting inclusivity and safety across the region.
Northumbria Police’s Assistant Chief Constable, Andrew Hill, opened the conference and attendees were also given a strategic overview of hate crime policy from Paul Giannasi of the National Police Chief’s Council.
Addressing the room at the conference, Susan made a pledge of her own, saying: “I give up my place in the Twitter community, my place is here in this room, in this positive community where all are welcome. Mr Musk can keep his blue ticks and toxicity – it’s not for me.
“I have seen far too many reprehensible posts – really disturbing content, attacks on gender and religion, homophobic and transphobic abuse, and racism. And let’s not forget the role social media played in stirring up the awful disorder experienced in Sunderland this summer. I cannot in good conscience be part of such a community where hate is so rife.”
She took the opportunity to highlight the swift robust policing efforts of Northumbria Police which has seen a growing number locked up due to the violence and harm they caused during the civil unrest.
She praised the efforts of faith groups and community members who rallied together to pick the region up again and get its strength back, as well as key services like Connected Voice and Streetwise who she funded to deliver emotional and advocacy support to people of all ages and ethnicities who were victimised or affected by the disorder.
She said: “I am very thankful to everyone who stepped up at a crucial time to not only protect but provide support of all kinds to whoever needed it. As Northumbria’s PCC, I’m totally committed to preventing hate crime in our communities and ensuring that victims receive the best possible support, and I’ll keep working with the Force to deliver this. Twitter might be a community full of hate, but we won’t let Northumbria be.”
