Hate Crime

‘Hate Crime’ is defined as
 
‘Any incident, whether a crime or not, which is perceived by anyone to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a personal characteristic.’ 

These personal characteristics (actual or perceived) could be:  

  • 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. 

 

Hate Crime can take many forms, including: 

 

  • Threat of or actual assault. 
  • Verbal abuse. 
  • Inciting others to commit Hate Crime. 
  • Intimidating behaviour or harassment, including online. 
  • Damage to property, including arson. 
  • Offensive leaflets, posters or graffiti.
Are you a Victim of Hate Crime

Victims can access services regardless of when the crime happened or if the police are involved.

 

 

Contact Victim Support, the national charity that provides free and independent practical and emotional support to victims of crime or traumatic incidents.

Visit their website at www.victimsupport.org.uk.

Call Essex Victim Support on 0808 178 1694 (open 8am-5pm, Mon-Fri).

Call the national, 24/7 Support line on 0808 168 9111.

 

Why you should report a 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.
 
There are several options you can use to report Hate Crime – from reporting anonymously to in-person or online. If you report Hate Crime, you may 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.

 

How to report Hate Crime
Speak to the Police Directly

Contact Essex Police

  • In person at a police station 
  • By calling 999 for emergencies 
  • By calling 101 for non-urgent enquiries. 
  • Online 

Anonymous reports to the police can be done on the telephone or online. 

(If the victims’ details are not disclosed the information can only be used for community impact purposes). 

Report to Stop Hate UK

 

0800 138 1625 (free 24-hour helpline) or  

0808 801 0576 (for under 18s) 

Website: www.stophateuk.org/.  

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

Report online to True Vision

 True Vision has been developed so that you can report hate crimes online – you do not have to visit a police station to report.

Follow the link to access the online reporting form. 

www.report-it.org.uk. 

Report to Crimestoppers

Call or access online anonymous reporting form 

0800 555 111 (this can be anonymous) 

www.crimestoppers-uk.org 

Contact your local authority or housing officer

Colchester Borough Homes take all hate crime incidents very seriously and record and investigate every report received in order to ensure the safety of residents.

Further information can be found on their website

Hate Crime Ambassadors are members of the community who have completed the Hate Crime Ambassador training delivered by Essex Police. Their aim is to promote hate crime/incident reporting and raise awareness of the impact of hate crime.  Also to help members of the community report hate crime/incidents. 

There are 120 Hate Crime Ambassadors in Colchester Borough some of which are located at the Hate Incident Reporting Centres. These  are community venues where individuals can be supported around Hate Crime, either to report or access services.  

Find a Hate Incident Reporting Centre in Colchester
Colchester Jobcentre Plus

Colchester Jobcentre Plus 

Crown Building 

40 Chapel Street South 

Colchester 

CO2 7AZ 

0345 604 3719 

Community 360

Community 360 

Winsley’s House 

High Street 

Colchester 

CO1 1UG 

01206 505250 

Essex Integration

The Rectory 

76 East Hill 

Colchester 

CO1 2QW 

01206 861180

Refugee Action Colchester

Refugee Action Colchester 

15 Queen Street 

Colchester 

CO1 2PH 

01206 863211 

University of Essex

Silberrad Drop in Centre 

Wivenhoe Park 

Colchester 

CO4 3SQ 

01206 874000 

University of Essex Student's Union

Students Union 

Students Advice Centre 

Wivenhoe Park 

Colchester 

CO4 3SQ 

01206 874034 

For guidance on the Criminal Justice System visit:

The 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 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.