Why report a hate crime?
A hate crime incident is particularly hurtful to victims because they are being targeted because of their personal identity, their actual or perceived race, ethnic origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or beliefs and this nature of crime can have far changing consequences for our diverse communities.
Hate crimes are not only crimes against the targeted victim, but also against a particular group as a whole.
It is important to report hate crime to enable the police and other agencies to build a picture of what is happening in our communities. We recognise that some victims may not wish to be identified, so consequently these crimes often go unreported leaving criminals free to strike again and confident that they won’t be caught.
Effective action against hate crimes and hate incidents requires that these are reported, in the first instance to the police, if you do not wish to do so you may report hate crimes directly to any of our hate crime incident reporting sites.
Hate crime incident reporting sites allow you to tell us about crimes anonymously or on behalf of someone else. Only if a hate crime is reported can we, together, take action to deal with it. No one has the right to harass, threaten or assault you because of who you are.
If you provide us with details about the incident it can be fully investigated, and you should expect a sensitive and confidential service, including the support that you need. If you do not want to provide your details the report will be used for monitoring purposes, helping to build a true picture of what is happening and where.
What is disability hate crime?
If you are being harassed, abused or taunted due to your disability then under the Criminal Justice Act 2003 this will be recorded as a hate crime.
What is faith or religious hate crime?
If you are being harassed, abused or taunted due to faith or religion, then under the Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006, new offences of stirring up hatred against persons on religious grounds has been created. The new offences apply to the use of words, behaviour or display of written material, the public performance of a play, distributing, showing or playing a recording or possession of material.
What is homophobic hate crime?
Homophobic violence and abuse can cover a wide range of actions including taunts, damage to property and serious physical assaults. A homophobic crime is defined as "being motivated by hatred or fear of homosexuality".
What is racial harassment?
Racial harassment is an incident or a series of incidents intended or likely to intimidate, offend or harm an individual or group because of their ethnic origin, colour, race, religion or nationality.
The following definitions have been adopted by Waltham Forest Council from the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report:
" A Racist Incident is any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person".
" Racism in general terms consists of conduct or words or practice which advantage or disadvantage people because of their colour, culture or ethnic origin. In its more subtle form it is as damaging as in its overt form".
What is transphobic hate crime?
Transphobic violence can include taunts, damage to property and serious assault (including sexual assault). A transphobic crime is defined as “any incident which is perceived to be transphobic by the victim or any other person”.
Don’t suffer in silence – Report it
Contact us
Hate Crime
Community Safety
London Borough of Waltham Forest
2nd Floor, Cedar Wood House
2d Fulbourne Road
Walthamstow E17 4GG
Email communitysafety@walthamforest.gov.uk
Tel 020 8496 3000
