What is hate crime?

Hate crimes are offenses motivated by prejudice or hostility towards a person's perceived identity, including:

  • Disability, including physical impairments, mental health problems, learning disabilities, hearing and visual impairments.
  • Gender identity.
  • Race, skin colour, nationality, ethnicity or heritage.
  • Religion, faith or belief, including people without a religious belief.
  • Sexual orientation.
  • Lifestyle and dress – for example, an alternative sub-culture.

Anyone can be a victim of hate crime if they are targeted because of who they are, who their friends or family are or even who the perpetrator thinks they are.

The impact of these crimes extends beyond individuals, affecting wider communities and how people live alongside each other.

We are committed to actively engaging with our customers and partners to combat hate crime and promote safer neighbourhoods within Greater Manchester.

 

Examples of hate crime

  • Name calling or verbal abuse.
  • Graffiti or abusive writing.
  • Damage to property.
  • Threats or intimidation.
  • Bullying or harassment.
  • Physical attacks or violence, including sexual violence, arson and murder.

How we’re working with others in Greater Manchester to tackle hate crime and support those affected by it.

1. Community engagement and education

Promoting awareness about hate crimes and the impact they have is vital. We share information here on our website and via our other customer communications channels and can work with other agencies to host workshops and events aimed at educating and empowering our residents and promoting inclusivity, understanding and cultural cohesion.

2. Working with community partners

We work in partnership with local authorities and the police to ensure a co-ordinated response to hate crimes which affect our neighbourhoods.

3. Support services for victims

Our Community Safety Officers and Tenancy Sustainment Team are here to support customers who have experienced hate crime and can also provide information and referrals to other agencies who may be able to help.

This includes the Let’s End Hate Crime website which you can access here.

4. Effective monitoring and reporting options.

If you are subjected to a hate crime, we want you to feel safe and supported in reporting this to us.

What should I do if I’ve experienced or witnessed hate crime?

Report it to the police – hate crime is a criminal offence. You must also let them know if you are concerned about your safety, or that of others.

  • In an emergency please call 999.
  • You can report hate crime to your local police force either by telephone or by visiting any police station.
    You can reach Greater Manchester Police by calling them on 101 or reporting on their website: Hate crime | Greater Manchester Police (gmp.police.uk)
  • You can also report hate crime online via Stop Hate UK
  • If you don’t want to talk to the police or fill in the reporting forms, you can report a hate crime by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org. You don’t have to give your name and it’s free to call. What you say is confidential but it’s difficult to fully investigate and act on an incident without your details.

Once it has been reported to the police, please also contact with details of the incident, the police incident number and officer’s name. We will then thoroughly assess the circumstances and decide if and what action we can take.

How to report hate crime to Irwell Valley Homes

If it is out of hours or an emergency, please use the phone line: 0300 561 1111.

Get in touch via any of the ways listed here.