Community Safety Unit
Community Safety Unit
Hate crime
The Met has made it a high priority to tackle hate crimes such as racist crime, domestic violence and homophobic crime. Spearheading this effort are special Community Safety Units located in each of our 32 boroughs. In addition, effort is being put into providing information to the public so that victims and potential victims of hate crime can find help and support. The leaflet "Tackling Hate Together" is available from police stations and other public places.
The leaflet is available in 11 languages:
- Bengali
- Chinese
- English
- French
- Hindi
- Punjab
- Russian
- Serbian
- Somali
- Turkish
- Urdu
Are you affected by hate because of who you are or what you believe in? Have you been abused or attacked because of your race, your religion, the colour of your skin or your sexual orientation? Do you live in fear of physical violence or other abuse at home?
Racist and homophobic behaviours and domestic violence are treated as hate crimes. If you've been affected by hate crime, or you think you have, then let us help you. We will offer you support and give you practical assistance and advice to help you decide what to do next.
Why come to us?
Hate crime hurts us all. It strikes at the heart of our communities. We are the police officers and staff of your local police station. We care about protecting the people who live in our communities. We're here to help anyone who, like you, has been affected by someone else's prejudice, ignorance or violence. With support from specially trained staff of your local Community Safety Unit, we'll do all we can to help you deal with what's happened to you.
What can we do for you?
Advise you
It's not always easy to know if what has happened to you is a crime. If someone shouts abuse at you in the street or sends you hate mail because of your religion or sexual orientation - is that a crime? What if your partner bullies or intimidates you at home? Or do they have to hurt you before it counts as a crime? If you're not sure, please ask us. It's our job to identify what's happened and make sure that appropriate action is taken.
Stay in touch
We will stay in touch with you and see you through the whole investigation, from start to finish. Our aim is to contact you within 24 hours of you reporting the offence to let you know what's happening. We will also give you a phone number, so you can call us directly to find out how your case is going or talk about anything that might be worrying you.
Find help for you
With your consent, we can put you in touch with other local support organisations that understand your specific needs.
Protect you
If appropriate we will arrest the suspect at the time to protect you from further harm and give you time to think. If that's not possible, we will do all we can to find them. We will take your wishes into account when we decide what to do with them. Whatever happens, we will let you know what's going on every step of the way.
Give you guidance
We'll talk you through all the procedures so that you know what you're being asked to do, and why. For example, we'll probably want you to give a statement explaining what happened. And if you have to go to court, we can explain the court process to you and let you know what will be expected of you.
How you can make a report
You can come in to any police station, anywhere in London, or one of us can visit you at home, if that's easier or more comfortable for you. You can talk to us yourself or ask someone else to speak on your behalf, like a friend or relative, a community leader or your solicitor. You could even ask someone from your local authority, housing association or advice bureau to speak for you.
No matter who we talk to, whatever you or anyone else tells us about what happened to you will be treated confidentially, sensitively and appropriately.
Useful contacts
Childline
0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk
Refuge London wide 24 hour Domestic Violence Helpline
0870 599 5443
Womens Aid National Domestic Violence Helpline
08457 023468
London Lesbian & Gay Switchboard (24 hour)
020 7837 7324
www.llgs.org.uk
GALOP Shoutline
020 7704 2040
Message Home Helpline
0800 700 740
NSPCC Helpline
0800 800 5000
www.nspcc.org.uk
Victim Support
Supportline: 0845 30 30 900
www.victimsupport.org.uk