Vale of White Horse District Council
Abbey House, Abbey Close,
Abingdon, OX14 3JE
Email: comments@whitehorsedc.gov.uk
Telephone: 01235 520202

Vale of White Horse District Council

Hate crime

Hate crime is any criminal offence committed against a person or property that is motivated by an offender's hatred of someone because of their:

• race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality or national origins
• religion
• gender or gender identity
• sexual orientation
• disability

The Home Office definition of a hate crime is “any incident, which constitutes a criminal offence, which is perceived by the victim or any other person as being motivated by prejudice or hate.”

Hate crime can take many forms including:

• physical attacks – such as physical assault, damage to property, offensive graffiti, neighbour disputes and arson
• threat of attack – including offensive letters, abusive or obscene telephone calls, groups hanging around to intimidate and unfounded, malicious complaints
• verbal abuse or insults - offensive leaflets and posters, abusive gestures, dumping of rubbish outside homes or through letterboxes, and bullying at school or in the workplace

The Vale of White Horse Community Safety Partnership takes hate crime very seriously and identifies it as a priority in the Community Safety Strategy 2005 -2008.  The partnership works closely with local agencies to improve support and services for victims of hate crime within the district. 

Why report a hate crime?

Racially and homophobic aggravated offences are crimes and should be treated as so. As a victim of hate crime you have a right to be protected. The information you provide may help the Police in the arrest of offenders. Left unreported, the offenders are free to commit similar crimes.

How can I report hate crime?

Incidents of hate crime can be reported to Vale of White Horse District Council or Thames Valley Police. Please note that all information reported to the Vale of White Horse District Council or Thames Valley Police will be treated confidentially.

Alternatively you can report incidents of hate crime by calling:

• 999 in an emergency
• 0845 8 505 505 - Thames Valley Police Control Room
• 01235 520202 and ask for Community Safety
• You can also report on-line www.reportracismoxon.com or call 01865 791891

Other useful contacts:

• Abingdon and District Citizens' Advice Bureau on 01235 521894.
• Equality and Human Rights Commission
• The Homophobia Awareness Liaison Team on 01865 243389
• Oxfordshire Race Equality Council on 01865 815239

We have produced an easy read disability hate crime leaflet.  You can download a copy on the right hand side of the page.