Hate crime

Hate Crime is where you have been abused or threatened by someone because of your choices or differences because of your age, sex, sexual orientation, race, faith, religion or religious beliefs or disability or because you choose to follow an alternative sub-culture and/or choose to dress differently for example “Goth, Hippie, Emo” (this is not an exhaustive list). 

• Verbal abuse.  
• Threatening or abusive text messages, letters, or behaviour.  
• Damage or threats of damage.  
• Graffiti.  
• Physical assault.  
• Arson or attempted arson.  
• Unfounded, excessive and/or trivial complaints by one ethnic origin against someone from a different background. 
• Physical attack – assault, damage to property, offensive graffiti, and arson.  
• Threat of attack – including offensive letters, abusive or obscene telephone calls, text messaging, groups hanging around to intimidate, and unfounded/malicious complaints.  
• Verbal abuse or insults – offensive leaflets/posters, abusive gestures, dumping of rubbish outside homes or through letterboxes, bullying at school/workplace. 

What you can do? 

We understand you might feel too scared or threatened to speak to the people who’re causing the problem. Never put yourself in potential danger.   

You should report it to the police because harassment and hate crime is a criminal offence and then contact us to report the problem and we’ll do what we can to help. 

It’s important that once you’ve reported it to us, you’re able to help us with our investigations. We might also ask you to keep an incident diary, to keep track of all the dates and times when things have happened. 

We will contact all victims of hate crime and incidents within 48 hours of receiving a report and agree an action plan and contact contract to keep the complainant informed of progress of the at least every 30 days. 

If there is violence/arson or serious threat to the safety of the victim, urgent action must be taken within 24 hours of receipt of the report. 

What can we do? 

We take reports of harassment and hate crime very seriously. We know you’ll be feeling scared and anxious but don’t worry, we’ll do everything we can to keep you safe.  And we’ll keep anything you share with us confidential.  

We’ll look at all the info and decide whether any tenancy agreement rules are being broken. And if they are, don’t worry.  There’s lots we can do, depending on how serious the problem is including:  

• Issuing verbal and written warnings  
• arranging mediation or restorative justice for both parties. This is where everyone sits down together with an independent person to try to sort out the problem face to face 
• fitting extra security measures like CCTV, locks and security lights 
• taking out court injunctions  
• starting eviction proceedings 
• getting the police or local council involved to provide extra support. 

Other help and support services: