Braintree District Council is working closely with the Community Safety Partnership to reduce all hate crimes and provide an appropriate  response to any reports received.  Alongside all the relevant agencies the council actively encourages the reporting of hate crimes and incidents.

Hate Crime is any criminal offence committed against a person or property that is motivated by an offender's hatred of someone because of their:

- Age

- Disability

- Trans/Gender

- Race, Colour, Ethnic Origin, or Nationality

- Religion or Belief

- Sexual orientation

- Vulnerable adults

Hate crimes can be particularly severe because they target identity.  Victims can't change or hide their identity and they shouldn't be expected to.

Hate crimes or incidents can take the form of-

Anti-social Behaviour, Arson, Bullying & Cyber-bullying, Graffiti, Harassment, Intimidation, Malicious gossip or rumours, Name Calling, Offensive mail, Phone calls or Text messages, Physical assault, Property damage, Rape, Robbery, Theft, Threatening or offensive behaviour, Threatening or offensive language, Vandalism, Verbal abuse.

And there are many more

Why do hate crimes happen?

some people don't have all the facts - they react to the media, myths and misunderstandings. Some people don't realise that they cause harm and distress to people by their actions, some people carry out hate crimes because their friends tell them to or the people around them think its a good idea. Some people do it because they are scared of people they think are different to them and it can also occur due to a failure to challenge behaviour in an earlier instance

Reporting Hate Crime

Victims

Many hate crimes go unreported because people do not always know how to report it.  Victims may feel embarrassed.  They may be scared they will be attacked again or they are worried at how they will be treated by the police or other authorities.  But without reports, hate crime can become worse and its far harder to stop the culprits.

Witnesses

Hate crime is unacceptable behaviour and should not be tolerated in society.  Without reports from witnesses the chances of catching the culprits are greatly reduced.  Your report will help us act to stop those committing these offences.

How to Report

If you are a victim or witness of a hate crime or incident you should report it.  In an emergency always dial 999.  For all other incidents you can go to a police station or call Essex Police on the non emergency number - 101.

 For incidents which may involve council premises, services or personnel, you can call Braintree District Council customer services on 01376 552525

  (Your information will be treated in confidence and will be used to provide a co-ordinated response to hate crimes within the District.  Please note that in order to investigate properly any reported hate crime, will need your co-operation)

Amongst other places, hate crime can also be reported to one of the following;

- Your registered Social Landlord
- Private Landlord
- Citizens Advice Bureau
- Your local community group
- A solicitor

 DO NOT SUFFER IN SILENCE

If I report a hate crime will I have to give my name?

If you don't give us your details we can't get in touch to give you support, get the police involved, prosecute those responsible or give you advice and information.  But you don't have to tell us who you are or where you live.  By giving us the information about what happened, you are helping us to see what's going on in the Braintree District so that we can tackle the problems.

How are we tackling hate crime?

We work in partnership with Essex Police, Victim Support and other statutory and voluntary sector groups to prevent and reduce hate crime by:

Working closely with Essex Police's Domestic Abuse and Safeguarding team on developing strategies and engaging with communities.

Providing a specialist hate crime support service through Victim Support Essex which offers practical and emotional support to victims in person or by phone - 0845 4565 995.

Members of the Partnership are provided with the training to enable them to deal with your concerns and identify the next steps required.

Delivery of workshops in secondary schools to raise awareness of cultural differences

Click here to see further details of support services.