Report hate crime

Crimes committed against someone because of their disability, gender-identity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation are hate crimes and should be reported to the police.

Hate crimes include:

• Threatening behaviour
• Assault
• Robbery
• Damage to property
• Inciting others to commit hate crimes
• Harassment

Community trigger

If you have reported a hate crime, you can ask us to review the case through the community trigger.

Report to Stop Hate UK

Stop Hate UK is a national Hate Crime charity that provides a free and anonymous, 24/7 Hate Crime reporting and information line to residents in Essex.

• Free 24-hour helpline : 0800 138 1625
• For under 18s : 0808 801 0576
• Or visit their website: www.stophateuk.org/

Report online to True Vision

• Visit www.report-it.org.uk

Report anonymously to Crimestoppers

• Telephone: 0800 555 111

Contact your local authority or housing officer

• Find your local housing management team

Why should you report Hate Crime?

Hate Crime in any form is inexcusable.

By reporting Hate Crime, you can get help and support if you need it. If you tell someone what has happened – such as a friend, family member or agency – it gives you an opportunity to talk about what happened and decide what action to take. You may want someone to speak to the police on your behalf or you might decide to report using a different option.

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.

Information and support for victims

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 the services regardless of when the crime happened or if the police are involved:

Essex Victim Support

• Telephone: 0808 178 1694
• Open 8am-5pm
• Monday to Friday

Call the national, 24/7 Supportline

• Telephone: 0808 168 9111

Visit their website

• www.victimsupport.org.uk

For guidance on the Criminal Justice System

• Visit www.victimscommissioner.org.uk/victims

Information about Restorative Justice

Restorative Justice or Mediation are when those harmed by a crime or conflict have contact with the person responsible to try to find a way forward. This is voluntary and both sides need to agree for the contact to take place. This is not an alternative to a court-imposed sentence.

For more information

• Visit: www.restorativeessex.co.uk

Anyone in the UK who has experienced anti-LGBT+ abuse, violence or harassment.

For more information

• Visit the Consortium website

Galop can provide independent advice, support, and signposting to local organisations. Their helpline is run by LGBT+ people for LGBT+ people, and it is completely confidential. Anyone affected by anti-LGBT+ abuse can talk to the helpline team about abuse, intimidation, threats, harassment, or violence they’ve experienced because of their orientation or gender identity.

It is operated by Galop, the LGBT+ anti-violence charity supporting people facing hate crime, domestic abuse and sexual violence.

The LGBT+ Hate Crime Helpline information:

• Call 0800 999 5428
• Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm
• Email help@galop.org.uk.

Find out more at www.galop.org.uk.

If a victim of anti-LGBT+ requires support outside of Galop’s operating hours, contact Victim Support’s confidential 24/7 Support line on:

• Call 0808 168 9111
• Visit www.victimsupport.org.uk