Hate Crime

If someone’s life is in danger, or a serious crime is taking place, you should always call the police immediately using 999.

What is Hate Crime?

A hate crime is a criminal offence which has been perceived by the victim as having been motivated by some form of prejudice or hate. Hate crimes and incidents can be motivated by prejudice about:

• Race, skin colour, ethnic origin, nationality (including against gypsies and travellers)
• Religion and faith (or lack of religious belief)
• Age
• Gender
• Gender identity (including resentment of transgender people, transsexuals and transvestites)
• Sexual orientation (including homophobia)
• Disability (including physical disabilities, sensory impairments, learning disabilities and mental health issues)

Hate crimes can include:

• Cyberbullying
• Offensive letters or text messages (hate mail) or phone calls
• Offensive leaflets and posters
• Physical attacks such as assaults
• Sexual harassment
• Threats of an attack
• Vandalism, criminal damage, graffiti or arson
• Verbal abuse or abusive gestures

What can I do if I’m a victim of hate crime? 

If you are a Homes in Sedgemoor customer, call us! We can help and we will work with the police to ensure that the report is dealt with effectively and we will ensure that you receive the support you need.  

How will we help you?

• We will ask you for the incident report number and the Police Officer’s collar number (if available) and raise an ASB case with all the relevant details.
• We will then pass all the relevant information on to the Housing Team who will get in touch with you about the next steps in your case.

Call us on: 0800 585 360/ 01278 552400
E-mail us: customer.services@homesinsedgemoor.org
Visit us in reception between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

An organisation that can support you is Stop Hate UK which provides advice about hate crimes and has a 24-hour helpline which you can call on 0800 138 1625.

If you aren’t a Homes in Sedgemoor customer, you can call Stand Against Racism and Inequality (SARI) or Avon and Somerset Police and they will be able to support you in dealing with this.

Who can I go to for support? 

Avon and Somerset Constabulary

• Call 101
• Visit Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s website for more information or to report an incident online 

Stand Against Racism and Inequality (SARI)

• Call 0800 171 2272
• Visit the SARI website for more information and to report an incident online