Your guide to reporting hate crime

See it, hear it, report it, stop it.

What is hate crime and harassment?

Crime or harassment which may be motivated by malice or ill will towards a social group. This viewpoint can come from the victim or any other person.

Hate crime and harassment can be based on any characteristic. This may include: race, faith, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender or age.

Forms of harassment can include:

  • Visual - for example, leaflets, text messages and posters
  • Verbal - such as abuse and intimidation
  • Property - or example graffiti and damage
  • Physical - for example hitting and assaults

If you see or suffer from such an incident, including racist, homophobic or because of someone’s disability, help is at hand to report it.

Why report harassment?

Crimes should always be reported to the police in an emergency call 999
Incidents in Dorset can be reported to the police anonymously on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 If you would prefer not to notify the police then you can report incidents directly to any of the services below.

Magna Housing Association is pleased to act a third party reporting centre – if you want to report a hate crime but don’t want to go to the police, ask to speak to a member of our anti-social behaviour team.

Anonymous reporting

Remember, you can report an incident anonymously, even if you are a witness.
Even if you feel that the incident is not important, your report may help to stop problems getting worse or happening to other people as well.

General support for victims of hate crime and harassment

Dorset Race Equality Council

An independent charity that provides help and support to victims of discrimination and harassment. This service is free and confidential.
01202 553 003
email: enquiries@dorsetrec.org.uk
BME/Faith Helpline 01305 266 633

Dorset Advocacy

An independent charity working with people across the range of learning disabilities offering support, advice and a chance to influence service provision.
01305 251 033
www.dorsetadvocacy.co.uk

Citizens Advice Bureau

Provides free, confidential and independent advice. Visit www.adviceguide.org.uk for practical, reliable, up-to-date information including frequently asked questions in English, Welsh, Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi, Urdu and Chinese on a wide range of topics and factsheets to download or www.citizensadvice.org.uk to find your nearest bureau.

Intercom Trust

An independent charity that provides support and advocacy to lesbian,
gay, bisexual and trans communities in the South West for people who encounter trans or
homophobic crime, prejudice or discrimination.
Call our confidential LGBT helpline on t. 01392 201015
email: helpline@intercomtrust.org.uk
LGBT Helpline. 01305 266 633

Dorset People First

A charity led by people who have learning difficulties. To find out more
information about our groups and events go to www.dorsetpeoplefirst.co.uk

Samaritans

Available 24 hours a day providing confidential emotional support.
0845 90 90 90 (national number)
or 01305 771 777 (Dorset number)
www.samaritans.org

Victim Support

Provides free and confidential support to help people deal with their experience, whether or not they report it to the police.
01202 606 200
email - vsdorset@victimsupport.org.uk

District / borough councils

Ask to speak to the Hate Crime Advisor


Dorset Direct (Dorset-wide)
01305 221 000
minicom. 01305 267 933

Christchurch Borough Council
01202 495 000
customerservices@christchurch.gov.uk

East Dorset District Council
01202 886 201
info@eastdorset.gov.uk

North Dorset District Council
01258 454 111
customerservices@north-dorset.gov.uk

Purbeck District Council
01929 556 561
enquiries@purbeck-dc.gov.uk

West Dorset District Council
01305 251 010
custservices@westdorset-dc.gov.uk

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council
01305 838 000
enquiries@purbeck-dc.gov.uk

Devon

Devon Racial Equality Council

01392 422566

www.devonrec.org.uk

The Rural Racism Project
PO Box 507, Torquay, TQ1 9FP

0777990893
input@ruralracismproject.org
hate.crime@devon.gov.uk

Somerset

Community Safety Team
County Hall
Taunton

01823 357114
communitysafetyteam@somerset.gov.uk