Hate Crime
Hate Crime is different to other types of crime because the offender is motivated by who the victim is or appears to be. Hate crime and incidents are acts that are motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person's actual or perceived:
- Race: including ethnicity, nationality or national origin, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
- Religion or belief: including no faith.
- Sexual Orientation: including Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual.
- Gender Identity: including transgender, non-binary and gender fluid.
- Disability: including learning, mental health, physical or sensory disability.
This includes crimes where the victim is targeted because of who they are or who they appear to be. You don't need to personally believe an incident is hate-related. It's enough if someone else, like a witness or a police officer, thinks it is.
It's important to report both hate crimes and hate incidents to help agencies address and prevent these acts.
Types of Hate Crime
There are many different types of hate crime. The most common types are physical assault, verbal abuse and incitement to hatred. Other types may include:
- Intimidating behaviour or harassment, including online.
- Damage to property, including arson.
- Offensive leaflets, posters or graffiti.
Physical Assault
Any kind of physical attack is an offence. This should be reported to the police. Depending on the severity, the attacker could be charged with common assault, actual bodily harm, or grievous bodily harm.
Verbal Abuse
This includes threats, name-calling, or any kind of verbal harassment. There are laws to protect you from verbal abuse. These incidents should be reported to the police or relevant organisations.
Incitement to Hatred
Actions intended to stir up hatred, such as threatening words, pictures, videos, music, or online content. This can include:
- messages calling for violence against a specific group or person
- chat forums where people encourage others to commit hate crimes
- web pages showing violence against people due to their perceived differences
South Essex Homes are committed to tackling hate crimes/incidents across our communities, ensuring our customers feel safe in their homes. We recognise that hate crimes/incidents can have a significant impact on the lives of our customers and can have a disruptive effect on our communities.
We take hate crime/incidents seriously and are committed to supporting our customers to resolve the issues, taking proportionate action where necessary using tools available to us as a social landlord.
Reporting Hate Crime and Incidents
It's important to report both hate crimes and hate incidents to help agencies address and prevent these acts. Even if you're unsure whether an offence has been committed, reporting can help improve community safety.
Hate crime in any form is inexcusable.
Anyone can report hate crime, regardless of whether they are the victim, witness, or are reporting on behalf of someone else.
By reporting a hate crime, you may be able help the police understand the extent of hate crime in your local area and they can develop a response. This may prevent these incidents from happening to someone else. Reporting makes a difference to you, your friends, and your community.
By reporting hate crime, you can get help and support if you need it. If you tell someone what has happened it gives you an opportunity to talk about it and decide what action to take. You could talk to a friend, family member or agency. You may want someone to speak to the police on your behalf or you might decide to report using a different option.
There are several ways to report a hate crime. You should report it in whichever way you are most comfortable with.
Visit the Citizens Advice website for more guidance in reporting a hate crime
Report to Essex Police
You can report Hate Crime directly to Essex Police. This will help you to gain the support you may need and to create a clear picture for your local area. You can report to Essex Police by:
- completing their quick and easy online form
- visiting a nearby police station to talk to an officer in person
- calling 101 if it is not an emergency
- calling 999 if a crime is in progress, a life is in danger or violence is being used or threatened
Report to South Essex Homes
You can report a Hate Crime/Incident that you experience or witness to South Essex Homes 24 hours a day, using the telephone number or email address below:
- Freephone: 0800 833 163 (24 hour)
- Email: antisocialbehaviour@seh.southend.gov.uk
- OR report using our online form
Please complete this online reporting form to report a Hate Crime/Incident that you experience or witness.
Report ASB or a Hate Crime/IncidentIf it is an urgent incident currently in progress (where property is in the process of being damaged or if there is any immediate threat) then please call the police on 999.
When completing the form, please provide as much detail as possible in order for us to arrange the best response.
If you feel a crime has been committed (but is not happening at the moment), please also report it to police on 101 and make note of the incident number.
We help our customers report hate crime incidents and work closely with them to reduce the risk of harm. Anyone can report Hate Crime, regardless of whether they are the victim, witness, or are reporting on behalf of someone else.
For details of what you can expect if you report a hate crime/incident to South Essex Homes, please refer to our Anti-Social Behaviour & Hate Crime Service Standard: Anti Social Behaviour and Hate Crime/Incident Service Standard | South Essex Homes
Hate Incident Reporting Centres
Alternatively, you can choose to speak to a local Hate Crime Ambassador and report it at your local Hate Incident Reporting Centre (HIRC). A HIRC is a place in the community where you can report hate incidents and hate crimes, either as a victim or a witness.
You can report hate incidents and hate crimes to a HIRC instead of contacting the police. HIRCs work with Essex Police and other agencies to provide support and information to help you with your report.
Find your local Hate Incident Reporting Centre
Report to an Independent Agency
The following organisations can help you to report hate crime and offer you support:
True Vision allows you to report without visiting a police station.
Crimestoppers allows you to provide information anonymously.
Stop Hate UK is a national charity offering a free, anonymous, 24/7 reporting and information line.
For information and support:
- Contact Victim Support, the national charity that provides free and independent practical and emotional support to victims of crime or traumatic incidents. Victims can access their services regardless of when the crime happened or if the police are involved:
- Call Essex Victim Support on 0808 178 1694 (open 8am-5pm, Mon-Fri).
- Call the national, 24/7 Support line on 0808 168 9111
- Visit their website at www.victimsupport.org.uk.
- For guidance on the Criminal Justice System visit: www.victimscommissioner.org.uk/victims-journey
Find out about Restorative Justice:
Restorative Justice or Mediation are when those harmed by a crime or conflict have contact with the person responsible to try and find a way forward. This is not an alternative to a court-imposed sentence.
Visit: www.restorativeessex.co.uk for information.