At Warwick District Council, we will not tolerate any form of hate crime. We fully recognise the serious and negative effect that hate crime has on victims and in our communities. Nobody should live in fear of abuse, violence, prejudice, or discrimination as a result of hateful actions. Everyone has the right to be visible, to be heard and live without fear.’
What is a hate crime?
A hate crime is any criminal offence which is perceived, by the victim or any other person to be motivated by a hostility or prejudice, based upon one or more identifying factors.
No hate crime is acceptable. We all have a right to live without fear, hostility, and intimidation from others because of who we are. Under the legislation (cps.gov.uk), this includes crime based on:
- race
- religion or belief
- disability
- gender identity
- sexual orientation
A hate crime could be:
- name calling, verbal abuse or hate mail
- arson/fire
- physical attacks, violence or threats of violence
- damage to property
- graffiti or writing
- bullying & intimidation
This can happen online, in the street, at school, college, work or at home.
Should I report a hate crime?
When you report hate crime, you become part of the movement to stop it. No matter how small or trivial you think the incident might be, it is important to the whole community that it is acknowledged and reported. Every report builds up a picture of what is really going on in your local area, showing patterns of behaviour against a certain group or by particular individuals. The more that local agencies like the Police and Councils know, the better they can educate, inform and protect everyone in the area.
How do I report a hate crime?
- Warwickshire Police have all the ways you can report a hate crime for more information. This ranges from an emergency where you should call 999, to other ways of reporting, such as by phone, online form, or in person. You might not feel ready to talk about what has happened. Warwickshire Police have put together a list of groups, charities and organisations for further help & support.
- The Warwickshire Hate Crime Partnership operates an informative and resourceful website, offering valuable insights and access to support services that can aid in raising awareness of hate crime within the region. By visiting the website, individuals can obtain resources that facilitate an understanding of the issue, along with guidance on how to report hate crimes effectively. This offers multiple avenues to report hate incidents. This user-friendly website provides individuals with the option to report hate incidents either to the police through the True Vision platform or directly to the partnership through the independent charity EQuIP. The goal is to ensure that all victims of hate crimes feel empowered to report these incidents and access the support they need.