What is hate crime?

Hate crime can be verbal abuse, threats, harassment, damage to your home, assault or arson, or any act of violence. Those responsible can be strangers or someone you know.

Hate Crime is any incident, which may or may not be a criminal offence, which you, or a witness, believes was motivated by prejudice or hate.

You could be targeted because of your race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender, gender identity, disability, age, sexual orientation or any other difference.

What is the impact of hate crime?

Victims of hate crime feel scared, alone, afraid or depressed and feel there is no escape, as you cannot change or hide who you are.

In 2007 Fiona Pilkington killed herself and her disabled daughter Francecca Hardwick, 18, following years of abuse by a gang of youths in Leicestershire, when nothing was done to stop it.

We want to stop hate crime by raising awareness of the issues, challenging discrimination and hate. We want you to tell us when it happens so we can do something to stop it. You can tell your Housing Officer, Local Council, the Police or Victim Support. A list of useful numbers is below:

• In an emergency dial 999
• In Essex ring Essex Police on 0300 333 444
• Barking & Dagenham & Havering ring
• Stop Hate Crime UK (0800 138 1625).
• Tower Hamlets ring the Council on 0845 303 0900
• Victim Support on 0845 30 30 900
• National Domestic Violence helpline 0808 2000 247
• Galop (LGBT) London helpline 020 7704 2040
• Essex Gay Men: 01245 250256