Reporting a Hate Crime
Don’t’ suffer in silence – report all hate crime
What is Hate Crime?
A Hate Crime is any behaviour that someone thinks was caused by hostility, prejudice or hatred of:
- Disability (including physical impairments, Mental Health problems, learning disabilities, hearing and visual impairment)
- Gender identity (people who are transgender, transsexual or transvestite)
- Race, skin colour, nationality, ethnicity or heritage
- Religion, faith or belief (including people without a religious belief)
- Sexual Orientation (people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or heterosexual)
- Alternative Subculture/ Lifestyle (the way a person looks or dresses) – Groups that are described as subcultures often include punk rockers, ravers, metalheads, goths, emo and indie
There are lots of different types of Hate Crimes. These could include:
- Physical attacks – such as physical assault, damage to property, offensive graffiti, neighbour disputes and arson;
- Threat of attack – including offensive letters, abusive or obscene telephone calls or text messages, groups hanging around to intimidate and unfounded, malicious complaints;
- Verbal abuse or insults – offensive leaflets and posters, abusive gestures, offensive comments and/or name calling, dumping of rubbish outside homes or through letterboxes and bullying at school or in the workplace.
How do I report a Hate Crime?
Even if you are unsure you have been a victim of a Hate Crime it is important to speak to someone. You can report a Hate Crime to any of these agencies:
- Emergency – In an emergency you should phone 999
- Non – Emergency – You can phone Greater Manchester Police on 101 or you can go to any police station.
If you don’t want to call the Police or if you want extra support, you can call the Stop Hate Helpline. The helpline is confidential and independent.
- Stop Hate Helpline – you can phone 0800 138 1625 for the FREE confidential 24-hour hate crime reporting service.
Anyone can be a victim of Hate Crime or Incident
A victim is any person who lives, works or visits Oldham and is subjected to a hate motivated incident or crime. A victim is also someone who witnesses another person being subjected to a hate motivated incident or crime.
A perpetrator or offender is any person who commits acts of hatred against other people because of their race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, faith or religion, age, gender, sexuality or disability.
Why should you report Hate Crimes?
If you tell us what is happening, different agencies (such as the Police, Local Authority, charities and housing providers) can take action against the perpetrator and support victims and witnesses.
When you report Hate Crimes, you are making a bigger difference than you may think.
It helps you get support. It helps us make your local area safer.
Most Hate Crimes are not reported. Your reports help us to understand how Hate Crime affects your community and then tackle the problem.