What is Hate Crime?
Hate Crime is a broad term taken to mean any crime where the perpetrators' prejudice against an identifiable group of people, is a factor in determining who is victimised. This would include gender, race, homophobia, disability and religious grounds. So if an individual believed she/he is a victim because he/she is part of a group, the crime would be recorded as a hate crime. A victim of hate crime does not have to be either a member of a minority or someone who is, for some reason, considered vulnerable.
Elmbridge Borough Council does not tolerate any form of hate crime and seeks in partnership with other relevant, specialist agencies to prevent such crimes as well as provide support and advice to victims. To assist the police in tackling hate crime the Council has developed its own third party reporting procedure for victims who may not wish to report incidents or crimes directly to the Police.
What is Hate Crime?
Hate crime is any incident, which may or may not constitute a criminal offence, that is perceived by the victim or any other person as being motivated by a hostility or prejudice based on a persons:
- Race
- Religion or belief
- Gender or identity
- Sexual orientation
- Disability
Or any other actual or perceived difference.
Examples of hate crimes or incidents include:
- sexual assault/sexual harassment
- rape
- domestic abuse
- vandalism
- arson/fire
- harassment and verbal abuse
- threats
- intimidation
- name calling
- graffiti
- psychological and emotional violence
- damage to personal property
- bullying
- phone and text harassment
- assault or attempted assault with or without a weapon
Race Crime
Racially motivated crime is when you become a victim of crime because of your race or perceived race. This includes black, Asian and ethnic minority communities, new comers and Gypsy and Traveller communities.
Religious Crime
Where you become a victim of hate crime because of your religious belief or perceived religious beliefs. Includes all faith communities and can be based on both religious belief and lack of religious belief.
Homophobic Crime
Where you become a victim of crime because of your sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation. This includes lesbian, gay and bisexual communities.
Transgender Crime
Transgender crime is when you become a victim of crime because a person is transgender or perceived to be transgender. This includes people who are transsexual, transgender or transvestite.
Disphobic Crime
When you become a victim of crime because of your disability or perceived disability. This includes people with physical or mobility impairments, sensory impairments, mental health problems and learning disabilities.
Reporting Hate Crime
Many incidents are not reported through fear, or victims feeling that they won't be believed or that nothing can or will be done about it. By reporting, we can respond to hate crime in the borough which will help us prevent others from becoming victims.
No hate crime is too minor to report.
On-line:
Visit the |Stop Hate Crime website to notify police of hate crimes committed in Surrey (includes option to remain anonymous)
In person at a police station:
Esher Police Station, 113 High Street, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9QQ
Walton Police Station, New Zealand Avenue, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, KT12 1PP
On the phone:
In an emergency dial 999
For non-emergencies call Surrey Police on 101
Surrey County Council Racial Incident Helpline 0800 138 1655
Crimestoppers
Crimestoppers are a national organisation that allows victims or anyone with any information about crime to report it anonymously. You do not need to give your name or any personal details, and calls cannot be traced.
You can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or report through the |Crimestoppers website.
Seeking Help and Advice
If you are a victim of hate crime or know someone who is, there are various agencies in place for support and guidance:
Victim Support
Offers:
- Someone to talk to in confidence
- Support
- Information on police and Court procedures
- Support when attending Court via their Witness Service
Phone: 0845 3899528
Citizens Advice Bureau (Walton, Weybridge and Hersham)
Phone: 01932 248660
Citizens Advice Bureau (Esher)
Phone: 01372 464770
Samaritans - Provides confidential emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair
Phone: 08457 909090
|Broken Rainbow - Provides confidential support to all members of the LGBT community their family and friends.
Phone: 0300 999 5428
