Hate crime is a criminal offence motivated by hostility or prejudice. Hate crimes affect both individuals and groups and can be a single isolated event or a series of repeated incidents. Examples of hate crimes include:
- Being hit or physically assaulted.
- Being called names or made fun of (including by text or on social media).
- Being threatened or intimidated.
- Receiving abusive written communications.
- Being harassed by neighbours or people in your community.
- Having your property or possessions damaged or attacked.
- Being taken advantage of or exploited.
It’s a hate crime if you’re targeted because of your:
- Disability.
- Race, ethnicity or colour.
- Gender, sexual orientation or the way you choose to live.
- Age.
How to report hate crime
Reporting to the police:
- In a non-emergency call 101
- In an emergency always call 999
- Report online - Contact us | Police.uk
- Visit your local police station
- Report anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 11
- Report to Saffron Housing ('third-party reporting')
Third-party reporting
Sometimes, victims of hate crime are not confident to report crime to the police, or they may not think it is important.
We work with Stop Hate Crime in Norfolk (SHiN) to provide a third-party reporting option as an alternative to reporting incidents directly to the police.
SHIN aims to encourage more people to have the confidence to report incidents of hate either direct to the police, or through external organisations – such as Saffron.
To report a hate crime to us, please call xxxx or speak with your Neighbourhood Officer (insert link to website)
You can request a case review if you have reported an incident of hate crime within the past 6 months to any community safety partners and you feel that no appropriate action has been taken. As a result, a review will be completed, assessing what action has previously been taken and deciding whether additional action can be taken. To find out more ( Add link to Norfolk ASB case review- Suffolk ASB case review.
Hate crime support groups
Click on the links below to access a range of hate crime support groups.
Stop Hate in Norfolk (SHiN) | Norfolk Constabulary
Support Services Norfolk and Suffolk Victim Care
Tenant Support & Wellbeing Service
Citizens Advice: provides information regarding different types of crime, including hate crime.
Stop Hate UK - An anti-hate and anti-discrimination organisation that operates a free 24-hour anti-Hate Crime reporting service and helpline.
Galop - the LGBT+ anti-abuse charity who provide support for LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse and violence
On Your Side - provides support for anyone identifying as part of an East or Southeast Asian community, and has experienced racism or hate.