Hate crime

Hate crime is a criminal offence, which usually involves violence, intimidation or vandalism, in which the victim is targeted because of his or her race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or mental or physical disability.

You do not have to be from a minority community to be a victim of hate crime.

Hate crime hurts. It can be confusing and frightening. By reporting it, you may be able to prevent these crimes from happening to someone else.

Why report hate crime?

It is important to report hate crime because you will enable the local authority, police and other agencies to build a real picture of what is happening in our communities.

We recognise that some victims may not wish to be identified; consequently, too often crimes go unreported leaving criminals free to strike again. Third party reporting allows you to tell us about crimes anonymously or on behalf of someone else.

By reporting hate crime you may also be preventing further crimes from being committed against someone else.

If you provide your details,

  • the incident can be fully investigated, and you should expect a high quality 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 should I do in an emergency?

In an emergency - dial 999

Police operators are skilled individuals who are trained to use their professional judgement in prioritising work. Operators will try to deal with all calls as quickly and efficiently as possible. All calls are recorded for training and reference purposes.

An emergency is described as:

  • a threat to life - by another person or by an injury, or
  • when there is a need for immediate police action.

The operator will need to be told:

  • who you are (your address and telephone number),
  • where the incident is taking place - be as specific as possible, and
  • what is happening.

Non - emergency calls

If your call is not an emergency but you will still need assistance from the police call 0845 408 7000. Your call will be answered - 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At times of very high demand there may be a delay, but it will be answered.

What different offences should I report?

You should report any incident or offence where you or anyone else has been targeted because they or you are believed to be of a different:

  • race,
  • religion or belief,
  • sexual orientation,
  • gender identity, or
  • mental or physical disability.

Or any incident you believe was motivated by:

  • racism,
  • religion or belief,
  • homophobia,
  • transphobia (discrimination against transsexuality and transsexual or transgender people), or
  • disability.

These incidents or offences may involve verbal abuse, harassment, attacks, damage to your property, bullying or graffiti.

How can I report a crime or incident?

You can report hate crime in a number of different ways:

  • By telephone:
    in an emergency ring 999
    non-emergency calls, please contact the police on 0845 408 7000
  • Call into a police station or the council offices - self-reporting packs are available at your local police station.
  • Online - report an incident directly to the police by visiting www.wiltshire.police.uk/diversity

Salisbury District Council has has adopted the True Vision System, established nationally by the Police in May 2004. Although it is funded directly by the Police, it is recognised as an example of good practice, so has been adopted by a large number of local authorities. It can be used to report hate crime against gender discrimination, sexuality race, religion and disability. You can go directly to the True Vision section on the Wiltshire Police website, where you can enter details of a crime or incident through the site. This will then be sent to the Wiltshire Police Equality and Diversity Officer and a formal investigation will begin.

Who else can help?

Victim Support Wiltshire

Area Office
31a The Brittox
Devizes
Wiltshire
SN10 1AJ

Tel: 01380 729 476
Fax: 01380 720 539
email: office@victimsupportwiltshire.org.uk

Victim Support Wiltshire's volunteers and staff are available to provide emotional and practical support and information to anyone affected by crime.

Swindon Racial Equality Council

Faringdon House
1 Faringdon Road
Swindon
SN1 5AR

Tel: 01793 528545

Provides information, advice and advocacy services for victims of racial harassment.

Wiltshire Racial Equality Council

Bridge House
Stallard Street
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 9AE

Tel: 01225 766439
www.wiltrec.org.uk

Provides information, advice and advocacy services for victims of racial harassment.

Age Concern Wiltshire

13 Market Place
Devizes
Wiltshire
SN10 1HT

Tel: 01380 727767
www.ageconcernwiltshire.org.uk

Works to promote the well-being of older people and make old age an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. Provides information and advice to older people.

Gay Men's Health Wiltshire and Swindon

Greencroft House
42-46 Salt Lane
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP1 1EG

Tel: 01722 421951
www.gmph.demon.co.uk

Provides information, support and advice for victims of homophobic harassment.

Silence is not Golden

www.silenceisnotgolden.org

OUTeverywhere is working with police forces around the UK to distribute information about homophobic crimes to assist the police in seeking further information from the gay community. They also work with support organisations and police forces to tackle homophobia and to empower lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people to report hate crime.

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust

National Centre for Personal Safety
Hampton House
20 Albert Embankment
London
SE1 7TJ

Tel: 020 7091 0014
email: info@suzylamplugh.org
www.suzylamplugh.org

This trust deals with people's safety in general and can be approached for advice.

 

Contact details:

Telephone:
01722 434531

email:
communitysafety@salisbury.gov.uk...

Postal address:
Community Safety Projects Manager
Salisbury District Council
PO Box 2117
Salisbury
SP2 2DF