Hate crime

We are committed to addressing harassment based on all personal characteristics set out by the Equality Act 2010. This includes, age, disability, gender, gender identity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief and sexuality.

When hate incidents become criminal offences they are known as hate crimes.

Any criminal offence can be a hate crime if it was carried out because of hostility or prejudice based on disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, or transgender identity.

We work closely with external partner agencies such as the police, other councils and Housing Associations to tackle hate crime and incidents.

The police can only prosecute if the law has been broken, however can work with partners in the community and with offenders to try and prevent these types of incidents happening again and turning into a crime.

• physical assault – violence against you such as punching, pinching, spitting, hitting
• harm or damage to property/belongings - arson, offensive graffiti, damaging cars, throwing litter on your garden
• threatening attack – Offensive telephone calls, texts, emails or letters, intimidation and untrue malicious complaints
• verbal abuse – direct offensive language, offensive jokes, offensive posters, bullying at school or workplace
• bullying via social media through Facebook or twitter.

Everyone has the right to live without fear or harassment therefore it is important to report any hate crime or incident, whether it is the first occurrence or ongoing. You can report whether you are a victim, a witness or reporting on behalf on someone else.

We want everyone to feel safe at home, at work or school/college and on the streets of Ashfield. Only by recording incidents can we build up a complete picture of hate incidents in the area and do something to stop it. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a hate incident, we want to know about it.

The person making the report does not have to be the victim. Anyone who is made aware of the incident can report it.

We encourage all victims of hate crime to report this by ringing 101 and speaking to Nottinghamshire Police about the incident. They should then arrange for an officer to come and visit you at a time and place you feel most comfortable.

• tell them why you think it is a hate crime
• get the name and number of the officer you speak to. This will be useful if you need to contact him or her again. Also make sure you take a note of your crime number
• use diary sheets that can be given to you by the officer in your case to keep a record of any incidents that have affected you. This will help you to remember details accurately if you need to make a statement later
• don't touch anything the offender might have been in contact with or that may have blood or saliva on it. This can include clothes, weapons, letters, and leaflets. We may be able to use these to identify the offender
• ask the officer in your case for photographs to be taken of anything that shows what happened, or take photographs yourself. For example, of damage to your property or vehicle, graffiti etc. Photographs could later be used as evidence.
• if there are any witnesses get their names and contact details (address and telephone number). Ask them to write down what they saw or heard and sign it.
• if you're injured make sure you see a doctor or visit a hospital and get any visible injuries are photographed. Show these to us.
• keep a record of any expenses you incur, for example public transport fares to hospital, loss

Ashfield District Council is committed to making Ashfield a safer and stronger place where no-one experiences discrimination or disadvantage because of their individual characteristics.

Ashfield District Council recognises that hate crime has a detrimental impact on local communities and we are dedicated to working in partnership to address it.

The Police and Crown Prosecution Service have agreed a common definition of what constitutes a hate incident.

If the victim or anyone else believe the incident was motivated by hostility or prejudice based on one of the following things:

• disability
• race
• religion
• transgender identity
• sexual orientation.

If you think you are a victim of a hate incident or crime or you believe you have witnessed an incident, the Council encourages reporting of this. The police record hate incidents based on these five personal characteristics and the Council will encourage residents to report such issues and will work with partner agencies to ensure these matters are reported and investigated.

The purpose of this policy is to:

• Instil communities and individuals with the confidence to come forward and report hate crime and hate incidents.
• Provide guidance that allow victims and witnesses to make informed decisions about the most appropriate course of action to take.
• Outline key areas for how to report incidents, the preventive work taking place, responding to reports of hate crime or hate incidents and identifying further support resources.
• Raise awareness and build understanding of diversity and equality into the very fabric of our community.
• Promote, support, value and recognise the diversity of Ashfield and to ensure everyone in the district can feel safe from harassment and is able to access high equality services that respond to their individual and diverse needs.

As a Council we value all members of the community and strive to ensure equality is held to a high regard. This policy outlines our commitment to ensure the people of Ashfield live, work and socialise free from discrimination.

Ashfield District Council holds a statutory obligation to ensure safeguarding issues and concerns are reported promptly to key agencies. This means we are able to tackle vulnerabilities, victimisation and reduce harm more swiftly.

In addition, the Council will continue to work closely with partner agencies, its residents and other organisations to provide an enhanced level of support to victims, with additional focus on identifying and reducing repeat victims.

We all have a duty to keep our community safe and report incidents whether directly affected or witnessed it is important in making a positive future for all. A list of ways to report hate incidents are provided:

Emergency

In an emergency dial 999. For residents with hearing and/or speech impairment you can use the emergency SMS service or the New Generation Text Relay Service. (Links to both services are identified at the Other Sources of Support section of this document).

Non-emergencies

Use the Police central number 101. For residents with hearing and/or speech impairment you can use the emergency SMS service or the New Generation Text Relay Service. In addition, Nottinghamshire Police provide Sign Video for people to report non-urgent incidents or crimes or for those seeking advice/guidance from the Police only.

Links to the services are identified in section 8. Support available.

True Vision – an online Police reporting system

• website: Report it
• True Vision phone app.

Stop Hate UK – an independent reporting and support service

• telephone 0800 138 1625 or 18001 0800 138 1625 for the New Generation Text Relay service,
• telephone: 07717 989 025 for text service
• email: talk@stophateuk.org

Ashfield District Council Community Safety Department is a Council service that you can report incidents of abuse and targeted behaviour. To report hate incidents/hate crimes you can contact us:

• telephone: 01623 450000
• email: asbduty@ashfield.gov.uk

Ashfield District Council work in partnership with other agencies to support investigations of hate crimes and incidents. We will also work with partner agencies to ensure victims of hate related incidents are supported and safeguarded and action is taken against perpetrators.

Ashfield District Council are an integral part of the Community Safety Partnership (CSP). The partnership comprises of Nottinghamshire Police, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue, the Probation Service, and the Clinical Commissioning Group, The partnerships’ purpose is to set out the crime and disorder strategic assessment which is used to tackle crime and disorder and to improve safety across the district.

The Council’s collation of data helps to identify emerging trends in anti-social behaviour along with the geographical data which assists in profiling areas. This data is then used to enable the Council to allocate resources effectively to tackle crime and incidents of anti-social behaviour (including hate crime) across the District.

An ongoing commitment to provide a service that promotes fairness and equality to all regardless of their race, ethnicity, colour, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age or religion.

Nottinghamshire Police will have primacy for investigating hate incidents/crimes which includes physical assault, verbal abuse and incitement to hatred but the Council will consider taking action under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act and/or Housing Act as and when appropriate.

Ashfield District Council may share information with partner agencies to support investigations in compliance with:

Data Protection Act 2018, Schedule 2, s2(1)(a) allows for the exchange of information for the following listed provisions; where it is for the purposes of the prevention or detection of crime, the apprehension or prosecution of offenders, or the assessment or collection of a tax or duty or an imposition of a similar nature, to the extent that the application of those provisions would be likely to prejudice those objectives.

• website: Data Protection Act 2018, Schedule 2, s2(1)(a)

Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (Section 115) allows for the exchange of information where the disclosure is necessary or expedient for the purposes of any provision of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, or amendments to that legislation.

• website: Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (Section 115)

This policy can be used in conjunction with the following policies:

• Equality and Diversity Policy
• Domestic Abuse Policy
• Anti- Social Behaviour Policy
• Enforcement procedures
• Vulnerability Policy
• Modern Slavery Statement

It is important that those affected by hate crimes and incidents get the support they need.

Agencies that may be able support are:

Citizens Advice Bureau

Citizens Advice Bureau provide free, confidential and independent advice on a range of issues including debt, benefits, housing, immigration, consumer rights, employment.

• website: Citizens Advice Bureau

Catch 22

A free, independent, and confidential service available to all victims of crime across Nottinghamshire. You do not need to report to the police to access this service.

• telephone: 0800 304 7575
• email: admin@nottsvictimcare.org.uk
• website: Catch 22

Childline

A free 24-hour helpline for young people under 18. They offer confidential emotional support and advice for young people on a variety of issues.

• telephone: 0800 11 11
• website: Email Childline
• website: ChildLine

CST

Support victims of antisemitism, it is Community Security Trust, a charity that protects British Jews from anti-Semitism.

• telephone: 0800 032 3263 (emergency number)
• email: incidents@cst.org.uk
• website: CST

Equality Advisory and Support Service

Provide advice and assistance to individuals on issues relating to equality and human rights.

• telephone: 0808 800 0082
• website: Equality Advisory and Support Service

Galop

Support for LGBTQ people who’ve experiences hate crime or domestic abuse. They can also help LGBTQ people who might have questions about the criminal justice system.

• telephone: 020 7704 2040
• email: advice@galop.org.uk

Victim Support

A national charity that gives free and confidential help to victims of crime, witnesses, their family, friends and anyone else affected.

It also speaks out as a national voice for victims and witnesses and campaigns for change.

• telephone: 0845 3030 900
• website: Victim Support

Mencap

Provide advice, information and support to people with learning disabilities and their supporters. They can give information about the rights of people with a learning disability and support to access services.

• telephone: 0115 920 9524
• email: info@n-mencap.org
• website: Nottingham Mencap

MIND

Mind provide information and support on all aspects of mental illness including where to get help, treatments and advocacy. They are also able to provide details of local support agencies.

• telephone: 0300 123 3393
• email: info@mind.org.uk
• website: Mind

Nottingham Women’s Centre

The centre provides information, advice, and guidance and is run by women, for women.

• telephone: 0115 941 1475
• email: admin@nottinghamwomenscentre.com
• website: Nottingham Womens Centre

Nottingham Muslim Women’s Network

Provide support for Muslim women victims of hate crime.

• telephone: 0115 837 2627
• email:enquiries@nmwn.co.uk

Nottinghamshire County Council

• telephone: 0300 500 8080
• email: enquiries@nottscc.gov.uk
• website: Nottinghamshire County Council

Notts LGBT + Network

Provide support and information for the LGBT+ communities of Nottinghamshire.

• telephone: 0115 934 8485
• email: info@nottslgbt.com

Notts TransHub

Information, support, and resources for the transgender community of Nottingham.

Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

The police and crime commissioner (PCC) is an elected official, charged with the securing of efficient and effective policing of Nottinghamshire.

• telephone: 0115 844 5998
• email: nopcc@nottinghamshire.pnn.police.uk
• website: Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

Stop Hate UK

Provide support and information to people affected by all forms of Hate Crime in locations across the UK.

• telephone: 0113 293 5100
• email:info@stophateuk.org
• website: Stop Hate UK

The Monitoring Group

Anti-racism charity, which promotes civil rights and can provide support to victims of hate crime.

• telephone: 020 7582 7438
• email: office@tmg-uk.org

The National Holocaust Centre and Museum

Based in Newark, the National Holocaust Centre and Museum promotes an understanding of the roots of discrimination and prejudice. They organise ‘No to Hate’ conferences as well as the Breaking the Cycle programme, aimed at addressing prejudice in young people.

• telephone: 01623 83662
• email: office@nationalholocaustcentre.net
• website: The National Holocaust Centre and Museum

The Traveller Movement

National charity committed to the fulfilment of human rights for ethnic minority Gypsy Roma and Traveller people. They can provide support, advice, and advocacy.

• telephone: 020 7607 2002
• email: info@travellermovement.org.uk
• website: The Traveller Movement