Hate Crime
The Government defines hate crime as: “Hate crime is defined as any criminal offence which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by a hostility or prejudice based on a personal characteristic”.
A hate incident is any incident which the victim, or anyone else, thinks is based on someone’s prejudice towards them because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or because they are transgender.
Types of Hate Crime
Hate crime can be physical assault, verbal abuse and incitement to hatred.
Physical assault
Physical assault of any kind on people or property is an offence including arson or attempted arson. If you’ve been a victim of physical assault you should report it to the Police.
Verbal abuse
Verbal abuse, threats, intimidation or name-calling can be a common and extremely unpleasant experience for minority groups.
Victims of verbal abuse can be unclear whether an offence has been committed so you can talk to the police.
Incitement to hatred
This occurs when someone acts in a way that is threatening and intended to stir up hatred. That could be in words, pictures, videos, music, and includes information posted on websites.
Hate content may include:
- messages calling for violence against a specific person or group
- web pages that show pictures, videos or descriptions of violence against anyone due to their perceived differences
- chat forums where people ask other people to commit hate crimes against a specific person or group
- graffiti
- deliberate and targeted acts intended to deter residents from living in their home or to force them to leave
For information about how to report a hate crime to the police please click here.
Platform has a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime and discrimination.
To report a hate crime to us please use this form.
The Group recognises the adverse effects hate crime has on our customers, communities and assets. The aim of our Hate Crime Policy 2022 is to ensure we minimise this by dealing with incidents effectively and that we meet regulatory and legal requirements. It is important that our neighbourhoods are safe and welcoming places and that we deliver services that are fair and transparent for all our customers.
The policy outlines the core commitments adopted by all members of Platform to prevent hate crime and to deal effectively with incidents should they occur.
We will meet all legal and regulatory requirements to ensure that our approach reflects best practice, and we are committed to working with all partners to prevent hate crime and to provide all victims of hate crime with a sensitive, appropriate service.
We will use all available powers and resources to deal effectively with perpetrators of hate crime or harassment, as well as to provide support to victims of hate crime.
What we will do
We will take the following actions to assist in the prevention of hate crime:
- communicate with customers about their rights and responsibilities, emphasising the importance of allowing people to live peacefully in their homes and neighbourhoods and being a considerate neighbour;
- raise awareness of hate crime among employees and residents;
- support community development, community safety and regeneration initiatives, in partnership with local agencies that will support and strengthen local communities;
- ensure that customer involvement arrangements are inclusive and contribute to the effective tackling of all forms of harassment and hate crime;
- encourage and support victims to report incidents of hate crime;
- challenge any attitudes and behaviours that foster hatred and prejudice, and encourage early intervention to reduce the risk of any incidents escalating; and
- provide regular training and awareness for employees.
Incidents believed to be motivated by hatred or prejudice directed against any person or group of people based on any of the identifying factors will be classified as a high priority for investigation purposes, irrespective of the nature of the actual behaviour reported.
Where appropriate, proportionate and evidence has been provided to support legal action. Platform will seek legal advice and consider taking legal action against the perpetrator(s) causing hate crime harassment. Action taken by Platform will be assessed on the seriousness of the case, the level of evidence provided, in accordance with The Anti- Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and any other relevant legislation.
We will seek to protect employees from all forms of abusive behaviour and will follow the appropriate procedures and measures involving harassment and intimidation.