Hate crime
What is hate crime?
Hate crimes are offences motivated by hatred or prejudice towards particular social groups for example, on the grounds of;
- race,
- religion,
- sexuality,
- age and/or
- disability.
Offences include verbal and physical abuse, assaults, criminal damage, vandalism, hate mail and violence and threats of violence.
Criminal sanctions should be pursued in such cases alongside other interventions. Hate crimes are particularly disturbing for those affected. For example, the impact of racially motivated incidents can be long lasting and can create a climate of fear among significant sections of minority ethnic communities.
Tackling hate crime is one of Citysafe's priorities. Over the next three years Citysafe intends to address hate crime by:
- Improving the monitoring and reporting of hate crime, including levels of repeat victimisation.
- Taking appropriate action against perpetrators of hate crime.
- Target hardening vulnerable properties subject to hate crime.
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These are just some examples of what we will do. Have a look at our strategy for more information.
What Action Can Be Taken To Tackle Intimidation/Harassment?
Intimidation or harassment is a personalised form of anti-social behaviour, specifically aimed at particular individuals. The nature of this anti-social behaviour means that victims of intimidation and harassment are often living or working in close proximity to their tormentors.
Support is essential to turn these victims into witnesses. Intimidation and harassment may also be triggered by an individual taking a stand and giving evidence; agencies must provide adequate and appropriate protection and support for all witnesses.
Enforcement action must be immediate to protect those who are being harassed or intimidated. This may be through an injunction or an interim ASBO (Anti-Social Behaviour Order) - which may be obtained without notice to the defendant - and can provide immediate relief and raise confidence in the ability of local agencies to tackle this sort of anti-social behaviour.
What is Racial Harassment?
Racial Harassment is verbal or physical abuse suffered by individuals, families or groups of people because of their colour, race, nationality, or ethnic or national origin. It includes attacks on property as well as people.
A racial incident is defined as "any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or another person".
Examples of racial incidents include:
- Assault, ranging from pushing through to physical attacks, grievous bodily harm to murder
- Verbal racist abuse ranging from jokes to offensive remarks and comments
- Racist graffiti in any form
- Objects being thrown at people or their property
- Offensive mail
- Denigrating someone's colour, culture, nationality or faith
- Racist literature
- Intimidation at work on grounds of race or colour
- Racist nuisance or disturbance including obscene telephone calls, and dumping of rubbish
- Arson (setting fire to property).
This list is by no means exhaustive rather it shows the range of behaviours that can be classed as a racial incident.
What to do if you are the victim of, or witness to a racist incident
- Make a note of the date and time of the incident
- Record everything you can remember about what you saw and heard during an incident
- If you are the victim try to get the names and addresses of any witnesses
- Record as much detail as possible about the offender and any vehicle they might have used
- Report the incident as soon as you possibly can to the police, or to us at 0800 731 3200 on our Careline number "We Can Help".
Careline is the city council's dedicated racial harassment number. We want to hear from you if you have suffered from racial harassment.
Our fully trained operators offer a confidential signposting service and can help you be put in touch with organisations who are best suited to deal with your situation. Specialist workers are also on hand to help.
We are a member of Language Line and can arrange interpreters in different languages.
Report it!
We can't help you if we don't know about it so please report any incidents of hate crime through the channels described above. This will enable us to target resources effectively to those areas and people who need it most.
Find contact details for reporting incidents of hate crime here.
What else does Citysafe do to help?
Citysafe operates a case-focused Hate Crime Joint Agency Group. This forum involves police officers, Registered Social Landlords, city council staff and Victim Support among others and takes a victim centred approach to dealing with cases. Cases are referred by any agency and the meetings are action focussed and victim centred.
For further information please contact:
Jill Summers, CommunityCohesion Officer: jillian.summers@liverpool.gov.uk
Information on Liverpool Action Group against Racial Attacks and Harassment