14
October
2024
|
15:10
Europe/London

Camden is 'safe and strong, together' - Hate Crime Awareness Week

This National Hate Crime Awareness Week (12 – 19 October), Camden is standing in solidarity with those affected by hate crime and highlighting how we can work together to tackle this behaviour.

The week is to raise awareness of hate crime, how to report incidents, and encouraging everyone to safely challenge discrimination and injustice when they see it.

 

Councillor Pat Callaghan, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “No one should be victim to hate crime, or fear experiencing this behaviour, for simply being who they are.

 “This year, Hate Crime Awareness Week feels more important than ever – as we’ve seen a devastating rise in incidents and prejudice behaviour across the country, and recent violence and racism on our streets.

“In Camden, we’re proud to continue our vital work with our partners and alongside our communities to tackle hate crime and to ensure we are safe and strong, together.

“It’s important to remember that if you experience or witness hate crime, we are here for you and support is available through our community partners. You can report this behaviour in a range of ways, and by doing so you can help to stop others being targeted.

“Our diversity is our strength and everyone has a part to play to stand together, united against hate.”

 

Hate crime is any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards someone due to:

•            race or perceived race

•            religion or perceived religion

•            transgender identity or perceived transgender identity

•            sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation

•            disability or perceived disability

 A hate incident is any incident which the victim, or anyone else, thinks is based on someone’s prejudice towards them because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or because they are transgender. A hate incident can include verbal abuse, intimidation, threats, harassment, assault and bullying, as well as damage to property.

Not all hate incidents will amount to criminal offences, but it is equally important that these are reported and recorded by the police.

 

To report this behaviour:

  • If someone is in danger call the Police on 999. For non-emergencies call 101 or visit your local police station.
  • For information on how to report online through the Police and trusted partner organisations, visit: www.camden.gov.uk/hate-crime
  • Call the Council on 020 7974 4444.
  • Even if you don’t report a hate crime straight away, please do report it.
  • More information on recognising and reporting hate crime can be found at: www.camden.gov.uk/hate-crime

 

 Below are some of the organisations we partner with to tackle hate crime in Camden, and where you can get support if you experience or witness this behaviour.

  • Stop Hate UK is one of the leading national organisations working to challenge all forms of Hate Crime and discrimination, based on any aspect of an individual’s identity. Stop Hate UK provides independent, confidential, and accessible reporting and support for victims, witnesses and third parties. Their services can be accessed at www.stophateuk.org/
  • Community Security Trust is a charity that protects British Jews from antisemitism and related threats. For more information, please visit https://cst.org.uk/about-cst
  • TELL MAMA support victims of anti-Muslim hate and is a public service which also measures and monitors anti-Muslim incidents. If you have been a victim of an anti-Muslim prejudiced incident or hate crime you can report it to them at www.tellmamauk.org/submit-a-report-to-us
  • forum+ support victims of homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate crime across Camden and Islington and in surrounding boroughs where appropriate. forum+ aim to promote equality and diversity by the elimination of discrimination in relation to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people living, working, socialising and/or studying in Camden and Islington. You can access their service at www.forumplus.org.uk
  • Victim Support is an independent charity that helps people affected by crime or traumatic events get the support they need and the respect they deserve. If you’ve been affected by crime, they can give you the support you need to move forward. Their services are free, confidential and can be accessed at www.victimsupport.org.uk
  • Met Police and British Transport Police The police will record any crime as a hate crime where the victim or any other person perceives it was motivated by hostility or prejudice towards their identity. In an emergency always call 999. Non-emergency incidents can be reported online via report-it.org.uk. Alternatively, if you are a victim or witness to any form of hate crime on the railway, you can contact British Transport Police www.btp.police.uk