We want our neighbourhoods to be safe places for everyone.

So, we’re supporting National Hate Crime Awareness Week, which is the perfect platform to raise awareness and support people to challenge issues and make change.

We won’t tolerate behaviour that prevents our customers feeling secure in their home and their neighbourhood, and it’s our responsibility to ensure our customers are safe from hate crimes in our communities.

To show how seriously we’re taking the issue, we’ve recently changed how we handle anti-social behaviour and hate crime.

Our Community Safety Team now handling all hate crime and incidents, so that customers are supported by a dedicated team with the right expertise to act and take appropriate action swiftly.

Here’s one example of how they make a difference.

Case study

Recently a Community Safety Officer investigated a case in Carlisle where a resident was racially abused by her neighbour.

That escalated to intimidation and verbal threats.

We worked with the police and partner agencies, supporting the victim through the court process, which included safeguarding referrals and referrals to local support agencies including victim support, due to the impact of the ongoing abuse.

The neighbour was charged and found guilty at court and issued a restraining order.

Following being found guilty at court and a notice of seeking possession being served, they subsequently relinquished their tenancy and left the area which was the ideal outcome for the victim.

What is hate crime?

Hate Crime is any crime that are targeted at a someone because of their:

• Disability
• Race or ethnicity
• Religion or belief
• Sexual orientation
• Transgender identity

Hate Crime can include, offensive language, physical assault, vandalism or criminal damage, and threats or intimidation.

What should you do if you are the victim of a hate crime? 

 Hate crimes should be reported to the police in the first instance, either by calling 101 or 999.

The National Stop Hate UK website also provides advice and has a 24-hour helpline which you can call on 0800 138 1625.

You can also report hate crimes to us using our online Hate Crime reporting form here or by contacting us.