Tackling hate crime
We believe everyone deserves to live free of fear and abuse but to act against those responsible, the police rely on reports from the public. This is the first step towards ensuring that the offender is caught and stopped from committing a crime again. Unfortunately, many hate crimes are not reported. If more people make reports, we can gain a better understanding of the problem and how we can prevent it.
What is a hate crime or incident?
A hate crime or incident takes place when someone is targeted because of their:
- religion or belief
- race or ethnic identity
- transgender identity
- disability
- sexual orientation
It counts as a hate crime when the law has been broken. However, the police also record all hate incidents, even when the law hasn’t been broken. What matters is why you think you have been targeted.
Examples of hate crimes or incidents are:
- assault - including pushing, spitting, or pulling at clothes
- threats, verbal abuse and abusive gestures
- damage to property
- offensive letters and graffiti
- online abuse
- harassment
There might be a single incident or a series of incidents. It doesn’t matter where an incident takes place, it can still count as a hate crime.
To help tackle such criminal behaviour and assist in making the community safer we strongly encourage you to report the incident to the police as soon as possible:
- Call 999 in an emergency i.e. if the offender is still in the area, someone has been injured or there is a risk to life
- Report it online to the local police
- Call 101 to make a non-emergency report to the police
- To report anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Help and guidance reporting a hate crime
Our hate crime reporting leaflet guides you through the process of reporting a hate crime, what to expect during the process, and the different forms of support that are available. Reporting a hate crime is important as it helps create a better understanding of the problem and how we can prevent hate crimes happening.
Why should I report it?
We know that many hate crimes and incidents are not reported. If more people report hate crime we can gain a better understanding of the problem and how to prevent it from happening.
Reporting it also means that you can access the support that’s available to help you recover from the experience. It is the first step towards ensuring that the offender is caught and deterred from committing a crime again.
If you witness a hate crime or incident you can still report it.
Reporting online material
Visit the gov.uk website to report illegal or harmful information, pictures or videos that you’ve found on the internet. You can make your report anonymously.
What support is there?
You may find it difficult to be on your own and need your friends or family around you. You may feel you want the support of a helpline or counsellor:
Victim Support helps people cope with the effects of crime whether or not it is reported. It also provides information on local victim support groups. Tel: 0808 168 9111
Tell MAMA supports victims of anti-Muslim hate and is a public service which measures and monitors anti-Muslim incidents. It is not a replacement for the police. Tel: 0800 456 1226
Forum+ supports local victims of hate crime who are members of the LGBT+ community. Tel: 0207 388 5720
Support the Islington Hate Crime Pledge
The Islington Hate Crime Pledge has been created to allow individuals and organisations in the borough to support and participate in ongoing efforts to reduce hate crime in the area. We would like to invite everyone to read the pledge and sign up below.
- I/We pledge to unite against hatred or hostility directed at anyone because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or because they are transgender
- I/We pledge that, if it is safe to do so, I/we will challenge those responsible for hate crimes when they occur to demonstrate that we do not tolerate hate crime in Islington
- I/We pledge to learn about what counts as a hate crime and to share this information with others, including through leaflets, posters and social media posts generated by Islington Council and its partners
- I/We pledge to report to the police any hate crime I/we witness, suffer, or become aware of, passing on specific details wherever possible, so that the relevant authorities have the information they need to do what they can to tackle it
- I/We pledge to support any victim of hate crime, including by helping them to make a report to the police in the best way to help the authorities take appropriate action
So far we have had over 300 people sign the pledge – thank you very much to all that have signed so far! See a list of organisations that have signed the pledge
Islington Hate Crime Forum
The council supports the independent Islington Hate Crime Forum. We are committed to working with community organisations and individual members of our community through the forum to:
- reduce the risk of becoming the victim of hate crime in Islington
- improve the identification and reporting of hate crimes
- support victims and those who fear being victims of hate crime
- challenge the police to ensure quality investigations are carried out and improve the outcomes for victims who report a hate crime
Membership of the forum consists of community partners who work with and represent all of the protected groups under current hate crime legislation
If you would like support or advice from the forum or an individual member organisation, please email hatecrime@islington.gov.uk
If you feel unable to report a hate crime or incident then speak to someone for advice, e.g. teacher, youth worker, someone at your place of worship or a community group or another organisation.
Hate Crime training
Further your hate crime knowledge by completing our free 40-minute online training. You will learn how hate crime affects people, how to report it and what support services are available for victims.
To register your interest, email hatecrime@islington.gov.uk
Become a Hate Crime Prevention Champion
Help tackle Hate Crime by becoming a Hate Crime Prevention Champion. Many hate crimes are not reported and victims often suffer in silence. We believe everyone deserves to live free from fear and abuse. We are asking you to help us raise awareness of hate crime, so more people know how to report it and access support.
What does a Hate Crime Prevention Champion do?
- Encourage the reporting of hate crime/hate incidents
- Promote community understanding and awareness of hate crime, e.g. by distributing leaflets and attending hate crime events
- Identify when a hate crime may have occurred
- Support victims to report hate crime and signpost them to support services
- Engage with the work delivered by the Islington Hate Crime Forum
- Deliver at least three hate crime activities a year, this could include community engagement events or training sessions
What will I gain by becoming a Hate Crime Prevention Champion?
- Free half day in-person training
- An improved understanding and confidence in speaking about hate crime
- Certificate of recognition
- Access to hate crime resources
- Be invited to hate crime events organised by Islington Hate Crime Forum
The Hate Crime Prevention Champion Scheme is for you if you have…
- an interest in tackling discrimination
- an interest in supporting others
- experience of, or interest in, working with community groups
To find out more or register your interest, email hatecrime@islington.gov.uk
