Brighton & Hove City Council used Hate Crime Awareness Week to remind residents how to report hate crime and where to get support. In a news release on 12 October, the council said hate incidents and crime will never be tolerated in the city. This year’s week ran from Saturday 10 to Saturday 17 October, but the reporting routes and contacts below apply all year round.
The week aims to bring people together in solidarity with those affected by hate incidents and hate crime, to remember those lost, and to help people who need ongoing support. It also aims to raise awareness of what counts as a hate crime, how to report it and where to seek help.
What counts as hate crime
The council describes hate crime as a range of behaviour motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person’s disability, race or ethnicity, religion or faith, sexual orientation or gender expression.
It adds that while the law defines hate crime around those protected characteristics, it reflects a harmful pattern of hostility towards anyone seen as different or an “outsider”. The council says these attacks target not just the individual but their whole identity and community, leaving lasting trauma and fear.
Sussex Police have recently appealed over incidents of this kind. We reported on Chichester Homophobic Hate Crimes: Boy, 16, Arrested and Appeal and on Police Appeal After Reported Antisemitic Incident in Hove, Woman Sought.
What the council says
“Hate Crime Awareness Week is an important opportunity to reaffirm that hate crime and prejudice have no place in our city.
“Everyone, without exception has the right to live a safe and happy life, express who they are, practise their beliefs and feel secure in their community.
“We are committed to building a city where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, feels a genuine sense of belonging, and knows they are valued as part of our diverse communities. We will continue to challenge discrimination and stand alongside all communities affected by hate.
“If you have been affected by hate crime or hate incidents, please come forward and report it. You will be listened to and supported throughout the process. Reporting helps us tackle hate, support those affected and ensure perpetrators are held accountable for their reprehensible actions.”
Councillor Mitchie Alexander, Cabinet member for Communities, Equalities and Adult Social Care
How to report hate crime
In an emergency. Always call the police on 999.
Not an emergency. Call Sussex Police on 101, or report online through the Sussex Police website.
Council tenants and leaseholders. Council tenants, council leaseholders and tenants of leaseholders who have experienced hate incidents or anti-social behaviour should report it to Housing Customer Services.
Housing association tenants. Report incidents to your landlord.
Private renters and owner occupiers. Report hate incidents and anti-social behaviour to the council’s Community Safety Team using the online reporting form, by emailing communitysafety.casework@brighton-hove.gov.uk or by calling 01273 292735.
The council says its community safety casework team works closely with the police and communities to prevent anti-social behaviour and hate incidents and to support people affected. It also cites local research that suggests people who are treated with respect, taken seriously, asked what they want to happen and told clearly what action will follow feel properly heard, and that the level of harm they feel can often be significantly reduced.
To follow crime news, witness appeals and crime prevention advice for your area, you can sign up to Sussex Police’s Sussex Alerts at www.sussexalerts.co.uk.
Local support
Racial Harassment Forum. Takes reports of racist and religiously motivated incidents and offers support. Call 07933 181 885, email communitysupporter@rhfbandh.org.uk or visit the BMECP Centre, 10 A Fleet Street, Brighton.
Jewish Community Antisemitism Reporting Service. Run by the Sussex Jewish Representative Council with the Community Security Trust and Sussex Police, for reporting antisemitic incidents safely. Email JCARS@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org and the team will contact you to arrange a phone call or an in-person meeting.
Brighton & Hove LGBTQ+ Switchboard. Specialist, confidential support for LGBTQ+ people who have experienced hate crime, harassment or abuse. You can self-refer through Switchboard’s website.
Council support teams. The council’s Domestic Abuse Support and Social Prescribing teams offer a safe, non-judgemental space to talk through what has happened and explore options, including hate crime reporting. Support can include one-to-one guidance, help navigating local services, advocacy referrals and connection to community activities.
National support
British Muslim Trust. Report anti-Muslim hate incidents and get confidential support. The national helpline is 0808 172 3524, open 10am to 3pm Monday to Friday and free from any phone, with WhatsApp on the same number. Email support@britishmuslimtrust.co.uk or report online, including anonymously through webchat.
Community Security Trust. Report antisemitic incidents on 020 8457 9999 or by email to incidents@cst.org.uk. Its national emergency number for antisemitic attacks is 0800 032 3263, to be used alongside calling 999.
Tell Mama. Report anti-Muslim and religiously motivated incidents online and offline, with casework, emotional and legal signposting and court support. The free, confidential helpline is 0800 456 1226, with WhatsApp on 0734 184 6086. You can also use its online form or its iOS and Android apps.
Online hate and terrorist material. To report illegal terrorist information or offensive, racist material such as hate speech, pictures or videos found on the internet, use the government’s website.
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