Hate Crimes
Hate crimes are crimes against a person or property.
The victim views that the crime is motivated by prejudice towards a part of their identity. This could be:
- Disability
- Race or ethnicity
- Religion or belief
- Sexual Orientation
- Gender Identity
A victim does not have to be a member of the group that the hostility was targeted at. In fact, anyone can be a victim of a hate crime.
What is a Hate Crime or incident?
About hate crimes and incidents
Hate crime incidents may involve:
- physical attacks
- verbal abuse
- domestic abuse
- harassment
- damage to your property
- bullying
- graffiti
A Hate Incident, which may or may not be a crime, is any incident that the victim or any person perceives to be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards any aspect of a person’s identity.
Hate incidents can often escalate to crimes and as such the police are concerned about incidents in addition to crimes, and these should be reported. The police can only prosecute when the law is broken, but can work closely with partners and other organisations to try and prevent any escalation in seriousness.
By reporting hate crimes and hate incidents, you may be able to prevent these incidents from happening to someone else.
How to report a Hate Crime
What to do
If you feel that the incident you have witnessed is in need of a response immediately then you can contact the police by calling 999.
Methods of reporting
Telephone police “ 101” (Non-Emergency)
Cambridgeshire Police website – http:www.cambs-police.co.uk/victims/report online/
The True Vision online reporting, Report It - http://report-it.org.uk/home
Local Support
Victim & Witness’ Hub in Cambridgeshire on 0800 781 6818. The Victim’s Hub is run by Cambridgeshire Constabulary. Lines are open 8.00am-7.00pm Monday to Friday, and 9.00am-5.00pm on Saturdays. Email: victimandwitnesshub@cambs.pnn.police.uk
Safer Peterborough Partnership:
https://www.peterborough.gov.uk/residents/saferpeterborough/
Third Party Reporting Centres. If you do not wish to report to police, there are Third Party Reporting Centres where such incidents can be recorded so suitable preventative action and support, if necessary is considered. These incidents can be reported on someone’s behalf if necessary too.
PARCA - Unity Hall, Northfield Rd, PE1 3QH - Contact no: 01733 563420
PCC – Bridge street, Peterborough, PE1 1HF - Contact no: 01733 747474
PCVS Office 32-34 Cromwell Road, PE1 2EA - Contact no: 01733 311016
Cross Keys Homes, Shrewsbury Avenue, PE2 7BZ - Contact no: 01733 385000
Hyde Housing Group, 92 Lincoln Road, PE1 2SN - Contact no: 01733 349800
Axiom Housing, Charlton Court, Holywell Way PE3 6LF - Contact no: 01733 269720
Citizens Advice Bureau, 16-17 St Marks Street, PE1 2TU - Contact no: 0344 499 4120 or from Mobile: 0300 330 0650
For further advice, information and support regarding hate crime, you may contact:
Safer Peterborough Partnership Hate Crime Officer: Emma Elmett 07795605954
Anti Bullying Alliance - Gypsy, Roma & Traveller Targeted Bullying
Targeted Bullying
In February 2020, the Anti Bullying Alliance consulted with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people to find out about their experiences of bullying in school as part of a project delievered with Friends, Families and Travellers and funded by The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.
Their main finding was that Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children and young people experience high levels of bullying and exclusion in schools, have lower attainment levels and are among those most likely to be excluded from school (Equality & Human Rights Commission, 2016).