Essex urged to speak up about hate crime in new campaign

We have launched a new campaign in Essex, urging the public to anonymously report hate crime perpetrators across the county.

In Essex, there was an 11% increase in reported hate crime (from April 2018 - May 2019 to April 2019 - May 2020). Since January to June this year, over 1,250 hate crimes were reported (an average of 209 a month). The majority of hate crimes reported in the county are race related. However, there was a 41% increase in sexual orientation hate crime, a 32% increase in disability hate crime and a 7% increase in religious hate crime.*

Hate crime is believed to be hugely under-reported, which is why we are asking the public to pass on what they know, 100% anonymously. Many people accept some hate crime as ‘part of life’ and do not realise that the abuse they are suffering is a crime. They may also mistakenly believe that nothing will be done about it.

During the four-week campaign which will be focused online, we are urging the public to speak up about hate crime perpetrators in a bid to help stamp it out. 

Hate crime can be motivated by race, sexual orientation, disability, religion or gender identity. Victims may be subjected to physical assaults or suffer damage to their property. They may also experience the threat of an attack or verbal abuse. Inciting hatred towards a person or group of people, including online is also a form of hate crime.

“One hate crime is one too many and it is totally unacceptable to attack or threaten anyone because of their perceived race, sexual orientation, disability, religion or because they’re transgender.

“We want to stop this and we urge anyone who has information about the perpetrators of hate crime or incidents, to tell us what you know 100% anonymously. We understand it’s not easy to report someone, especially if they’re a close friend or family member. Please remember that Crimestoppers, as an independent charity, keeps its promise of 100% anonymity each and every day to those who trust us with their crime information.

“Share what you know by calling our UK Contact Centre on freephone  0800 555 111 or use our website’s simple and secure anonymous online form. We’re open 24/7, 365 days a year. No one will ever know your identity. We cannot trace your call or track your IP address and we never ask for or record any personal information. We will pass on what you tell us.”     
 

If you are a victim of hate crime, due to the Crimestoppers anonymity guarantee, in an emergency always call 999. The national charity Victim Support can also help. They can be reached on 0808 1689 111. More information can be found on their website.

If you have any information about hate crime, please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through the secure, anonymous online form.

You can read more about hate crime and hate incidents.
 

 

​* Statistics from Essex Police. The increase in hate crime figures are from April 2018 - May 2019 to April 2019 - May 2020.