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Hate Crime Policy

Hate Crime policy index

  1. Introduction
  2. Definition
  3. Aims of the policy
  4. Statement
  5. Reporting Hate Crime and Hate Incidents
  6. Preventative and enforcement work
  7. Legislation and policy
  8. Support available

1. Introduction

Ashfield District Council is committed to making Ashfield a safer and stronger place where no-one experiences discrimination or disadvantage because of their individual characteristics.

Ashfield District Council recognises that hate crime has a detrimental impact on local communities and we are dedicated to working in partnership to address it.

2. Definition

The Police and Crown Prosecution Service have agreed a common definition of what constitutes a hate incident.

If the victim or anyone else believe the incident was motivated by hostility or prejudice based on one of the following things:

  • disability
  • race
  • religion
  • transgender identity
  • sexual orientation.

If you think you are a victim of a hate incident or crime or you believe you have witnessed an incident, the Council encourages reporting of this. The police record hate incidents based on these five personal characteristics and the Council will encourage residents to report such issues and will work with partner agencies to ensure these matters are reported and investigated.

3. Aims of the Policy

The purpose of this policy is to:

  • Instil communities and individuals with the confidence to come forward and report hate crime and hate incidents.
  • Provide guidance that allow victims and witnesses to make informed decisions about the most appropriate course of action to take.
  • Outline key areas for how to report incidents, the preventive work taking place, responding to reports of hate crime or hate incidents and identifying further support resources.
  • Raise awareness and build understanding of diversity and equality into the very fabric of our community.
  • Promote, support, value and recognise the diversity of Ashfield and to ensure everyone in the district can feel safe from harassment and is able to access high equality services that respond to their individual and diverse needs.

4. Statement

As a Council we value all members of the community and strive to ensure equality is held to a high regard. This policy outlines our commitment to ensure the people of Ashfield live, work and socialise free from discrimination.

Ashfield District Council holds a statutory obligation to ensure safeguarding issues and concerns are reported promptly to key agencies. This means we are able to tackle vulnerabilities, victimisation and reduce harm more swiftly.

In addition, the Council will continue to work closely with partner agencies, its residents and other organisations to provide an enhanced level of support to victims, with additional focus on identifying and reducing repeat victims.

5. Reporting Hate Crime and Hate Incidents

We all have a duty to keep our community safe and report incidents whether directly affected or witnessed it is important in making a positive future for all. A list of ways to report hate incidents have been provided below:

  • Emergency – In an emergency dial 999. For residents with hearing and/or speech impairment you can use the emergency SMS service or the New Generation Text Relay Service. (Links to both services are identified at the Other Sources of Support section of this document).
  • Non-emergencies – use the Police central number 101. For residents with hearing and/or speech impairment you can use the emergency SMS service or the New Generation Text Relay Service. In addition, Nottinghamshire Police provide Sign Video for people to report non-urgent incidents or crimes or for those seeking advice/guidance from the Police only. (Links to the services are identified at the Other Sources of Support section of this page).
  • True Vision – an online Police reporting system
  • Stop Hate UK – an independent reporting and support service
    • telephone 0800 138 1625 or 18001 0800 138 1625 for the New Generation Text Relay service,
    • telephone: 07717 989 025 for text service
    • email: talk@stophateuk.org
  • Ashfield Districts Council, Community Safety Department is a Council service that you can report incidents of abuse and targeted behaviour. To report hate incidents/hate crimes you can contact us:

6. Preventative and enforcement work

Ashfield District Council work in partnership with other agencies to support investigations of hate crimes and incidents. We will also work with partner agencies to ensure victims of hate related incidents are supported and safeguarded and action is taken against perpetrators.

Ashfield District Council are an integral part of the Community Safety Partnership (CSP). The partnership comprises of Nottinghamshire Police, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue, the Probation Service, and the Clinical Commissioning Group, The partnerships’ purpose is to set out the crime and disorder strategic assessment which is used to tackle crime and disorder and to improve safety across the district.

The Council’s collation of data helps to identify emerging trends in anti-social behaviour along with the geographical data which assists in profiling areas. This data is then used to enable the Council to allocate resources effectively to tackle crime and incidents of anti-social behaviour (including hate crime) across the District.

An ongoing commitment to provide a service that promotes fairness and equality to all regardless of their race, ethnicity, colour, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age or religion.

7. Legislation and policy

Nottinghamshire Police will have primacy for investigating hate incidents/crimes which includes physical assault, verbal abuse and incitement to hatred but the Council will consider taking action under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act and/or Housing Act as and when appropriate.

Ashfield District Council may share information with partner agencies to support investigations in compliance with:

Data Protection Act 2018, Schedule 2, s2(1)(a) allows for the exchange of information for the following listed provisions; where it is for the purposes of the prevention or detection of crime, the apprehension or prosecution of offenders, or the assessment or collection of a tax or duty or an imposition of a similar nature, to the extent that the application of those provisions would be likely to prejudice those objectives.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (Section 115) allows for the exchange of information where the disclosure is necessary or expedient for the purposes of any provision of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, or amendments to that legislation.

This policy can be used in conjunction with the following policies:

  • Equality & Diversity Policy
  • Domestic Abuse Policy
  • Anti- Social Behaviour Policy
  • Enforcement procedures
  • Vulnerability Policy
  • Modern Slavery Statement

8. Support available

It is important that those affected by hate crimes and incidents get the support they need.

Agencies that may be able support are:

Citizens Advice Bureau

Citizens Advice Bureau provide free, confidential and independent advice on a range of issues including debt, benefits, housing, immigration, consumer rights, employment.

Catch 22

A free, independent, and confidential service available to all victims of crime across Nottinghamshire. You do not need to report to the police to access this service.

Childline

A free 24-hour helpline for young people under 18. They offer confidential emotional support and advice for young people on a variety of issues.

CST

Support victims of antisemitism, it is Community Security Trust, a charity that protects British Jews from anti-Semitism.

Equality Advisory & Support Service

Provide advice and assistance to individuals on issues relating to equality and human rights.

Galop

Support for LGBTQ people who’ve experiences hate crime or domestic abuse. They can also help LGBTQ people who might have questions about the criminal justice system.

Victim Support

A national charity that gives free and confidential help to victims of crime, witnesses, their family, friends and anyone else affected.

It also speaks out as a national voice for victims and witnesses and campaigns for change.

Mencap

Provide advice, information and support to people with learning disabilities and their supporters. They can give information about the rights of people with a learning disability and support to access services.

MIND

Mind provide information and support on all aspects of mental illness including where to get help, treatments and advocacy. They are also able to provide details of local support agencies.

Nottingham Women’s Centre

The centre provides information, advice, and guidance and is run by women, for women.

Nottingham Muslim Women’s Network

Provide support for Muslim women victims of hate crime.

Nottinghamshire County Council

Notts LGBT + Network

Provide support and information for the LGBT+ communities of Nottinghamshire.

Notts TransHub

Information, support, and resources for the transgender community of Nottingham.

Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

The police and crime commissioner (PCC) is an elected official, charged with the securing of efficient and effective policing of Nottinghamshire.

Stop Hate UK

Provide support and information to people affected by all forms of Hate Crime in locations across the UK.

The Monitoring Group

Anti-racism charity, which promotes civil rights and can provide support to victims of hate crime.

The National Holocaust Centre and Museum

Based in Newark, the National Holocaust Centre and Museum promotes an understanding of the roots of discrimination and prejudice. They organise ‘No to Hate’ conferences as well as the Breaking the Cycle programme, aimed at addressing prejudice in young people.

The Traveller Movement

National charity committed to the fulfilment of human rights for ethnic minority Gypsy Roma and Traveller people. They can provide support, advice, and advocacy.