Hate crimes

Hate crimes

A Hate Crime is any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice, based on a person's disability or perceived disability, race or perceived race, or religion or perceived religion, or sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation or transgender identity or perceived transgender identity.

The law recognises five types of hate crime on the basis of:

  • race
  • religion 
  • disability
  • sexual orientation 
  • transgender identity

Action we can take in relation to Hate Crime

We will do everything possible to identify the offender and take appropriate action.

Action can include:

  • issuing warnings/Community Protection Warning/Community Protection Notice
  • work in partnership with the Police to support criminal prosecution in court
  • seek an Injunction Order though the courts
  • seek possession of the suspects home (if the suspect is a council tenant) 

How to report Hate Crime

You can report racial harassment/hate crime in a number of ways.

Reports to the Council

  • Complete our online housing contact form (if you are a council tenant) 
  • Contact our Customer Contact Centre on 01708 434000 
  • After hours and on weekends, you can report ASB: 01708 756699
  • Text relay phone: 18001 01708 434343

Reports to the Police

  • Report it online via Stop Homophobic, Transphobic, Racial, Religious and Disability Hate Crime - True Vision (report-it.org.uk)
  • Call 999 (if an emergency) or 101 (if non-emergency)
  • Text phone service 18000 (if you have hearing or speech impairment)

Support for victims

There are a number of support groups that can offer support for victims.

Stop Hate UK is available 24 hours a day and can offer confidential support and information for victims of any hate crime. Call 0800 138 1625. Information about reporting hate crime is available in English and 32 community languages upon request to Stop Hate UK.

CATCH is an advocacy service for people facing hate crime in London. It focuses on working with people in the highest levels of risk, impact and need. CATCH is a service for people over 18 years old.

Victim Support supports all victims of crime. Call 0808 168 9111.

GALOP (LGBT Helpline) The GALOP Helpline can offer you emotional support, provide information and can help you to explore your options, depending on your needs. Call 0800 999 5428 or email help@galop.org.uk. 

Support Line can offer emotional support to any individual on any issue. Call 01708 765200 or email info@supportline.org.uk.