Report

We understand that reporting hate crime can be really frightening, and that not everyone will want to or be comfortable reporting directly to the police and that is ok.

There are a few options:

If you feel able you can report the incident to Northumbria Police, there are lots of ways you can do that so you can choose the one that helps you feel as safe and comfortable as possible:

In an emergency you should always call 999.

If it is not an emergency, you can:

If you do not want to report it to the police you could:

  • report it to your local council
  • report it to your social housing provider (if you live in social housing)
  • or if you are frightened to be identified you could report it anonymously via Crimestoppers – Easy read leaflet
  • They are not the police, they won’t even ask for your name, address or phone number, calls are not recorded, no one will know you contacted Crimestoppers.
  • You can call them on 0800 555 111, or fill in the online form.

 

After you have reported to the police

The police will need to speak to you again to make sure they have all the details.  They can do this by contacting you on the telephone or by coming to see you wherever you feel most safe and comfortable.  They will not come to your home if you don’t want them to and you do not have to come to the police station either.  You can provide more details, but you do not need to make a statement if you don’t want to.  The police can also help you get specialist support if you want it.

If you are already receiving support from a specialist service, the service can help to make arrangements for you to meet the police at a safe venue, you can choose from a range of venues to make the experience as comfortable as possible, for example at their office, another venue or at the Gateshead Enhanced Reporting Centre.

Gateshead Enhanced Reporting Centre – The Davidson Building, Swan Street, Gateshead, NE8 1BG

  • A neutral venue.
  • Trained staff to look after victims, welcome you to the building, offering refreshments and be a reassuring, independent presence in the room whilst you are talking to the police or making your statement.

 

Support and advocacy

If you do not want to report it at all, that is ok, you can still seek support to help you cope and recover from your experience.

You could contact:

Adult support

Northumbria Victim and Witness Service (NVWS)

  • Free service that helps both victims and witnesses by listening to you and making sure you get the right support for you.
  • Provides emotional and practical support.
  • Support and guide you should your case go to court.
  • Support you to report to the police but only if you want to.
  • Refer you to a specialist hate crime service if you would like that.
  • Whatever the need they put victims of crime at the heart of their service.

Email: nvws@northumbria.police.uk
Telephone: 0800 011 3116 (Text: 07984446858)

Connected Voice Advocacy Service

A free and independent service that will:

  • Help you understand hate crime and your legal rights
  • Challenge discrimination or prejudice you experience
  • Offer emotional support and action planning to improve your circumstances, report crime and recover
  • Ensure you are heard by agencies (e.g. the police, housing, medical services) representing you and supporting you to self-advocate
  • Support you to understand and interact with the criminal justice system (reporting, court hearings, appeals or complaints)

Email: connect@connectedvoice.org.uk
Telephone: 0191 232 7445

Pride Action North

  • Support for LGBT+ victims of hate crime
  • Practical, emotional and counselling support for LGBT+ victims of hate crime

Email: support@prideactionnorth.org.uk
Telephone: 03332427307

Age UK Gateshead – (Aged over 50 Years)

  • Practical and emotional support for individuals who live in fear of crime or who are victims of crime
  • Individual care plans that address mental health, as well as physical health, income and housing issues

Email: advice@ageukgateshead.org.uk
Telephone: 0191 477 3559

Support for young people

Children North East – (ages 5-25 years)

  • Therapeutic support for young victims of various crime types, including hate crime.
  • Support includes talking therapies, play therapy or CBT.

Telephone: 0191 256 2444

Streetwise Young People’s Project – (ages 11 – 25 years)

  • Practical and emotional support for young victims of various crime types, including hate crime.
  • One to one counselling
  • Peer support groupwork sessions with ethnic minority young men affected by hate crime, including topics such as positive relationships, informed decision making.
  • EmpowHER programme – safe space for young women to explore issues affecting them and will focus on recovery and wellbeing, building young women’s self-worth and self-esteem while reducing the risk of re-victimisation and/or re-traumatisation.

Email: admin@streetwisenorth.org.uk
Telephone: 0191 230 5400

 

Court support

Witness Support Service – Citizens Advice

  • Free, confidential and independent support for witnesses in every criminal court.
  • Practical information about the court process
  • Emotional support so witnesses feel more confident when giving evidence.
  • They can:
  • Show witnesses the courtroom before the trial
  • Accompany witnesses when they give their evidence
  • Give support on the day of the trial – at verdict and sentencing
  • Help prepare witnesses who need extra support – at their home or another safe place

 

Useful links & organisations