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Hate Crime
Somerset Police are committed to
dealing with any reports of Hate Crime
sensitively taking positive action when
appropriate. We want the community to
flourish free from crime and the fear
of it and we know that Hate Crime in
its many forms can have a devastating
effect on the lives of those who suffer
such prejudice.
Because of this it
is vital that we encourage reporting of
incidents and to achieve this we must
have the trust and support of the
community. We will work hard to gain
this. There are several other agencies
that can help victims of hate crime in
Somerset and their details are enclosed
in this document.
This section is
aimed at those who are experiencing or
know someone who is being subjected to
harassment, hatred or abuse because of
their race, religion, disability,
sexual orientation or because of
someone’s perceived prejudice against
such groups.
This section provides
information about:
- What is Hate Crime
- How
incidents are investigated.
- Local
and national agencies who can help
- How you or someone you know can
report incidents in the future.
We hope that you find the
information useful to you. We also
hope that by giving people the
opportunity to report incidents more
easily we will be able to gain a better
understanding of the way that incidents
affect people.
By
reporting incidents you are helping us
to help you. Even if you do not want
any further action to be taken, we need
to know so that we can find the best
way to help you and other people who
suffer from such hate and prejudice.
What is Hate Crime?
“Any
incident committed against a person or
property that is motivated by the
offender's hatred or dislike of a
person or group of people because of
their race, religion, gender,
disability or sexual orientation.”
All types of incident - not just crime -
if based upon prejudice should be
reported.
What happens when
you report an incident?
After
you make a complaint, the police
officer dealing will investigate that
complaint and undertake the following:
- If you agree, we will
contact other relevant agencies on your
behalf who may be able to help.
-
Obtain a victim statement from you
concerning the incident
- Obtain
witness statements from other witnesses
- Undertake further enquiries as
necessary
- Arrest and interview the
suspect
- Advise you of the progress
of the case
Following any
interview by the Police where there
appears to be sufficient
evidence to justify a charge being
brought, the case will be referred to
the Crown Prosecution Service who will
ultimately decide on whether the
offender is prosecuted or not. That
decision is final.
When an
offender is charged they will normally
be released on bail to attend a future
Court date and if this is done, bail
conditions can be placed on the
offender. The case will be “red tagged”
to ensure that you are advised
immediately if that offender is
released and of any changes in bail
conditions. You may be required to
attend Court, together with any
witnesses, to give your evidence. If
this is necessary, help, support and
information will be provided.
Partnership Against Hate Crime(PAHC)
The Diversity Co- ordinator
will refer cases where the victim
consents (disclosure permission) to
Victim Support and other relevant
agencies. In racial cases SREC will
then contact the victim to offer
support. SAIN are the responsible
agency for disability and Somerset Gay
Health for homophobic crimes.
The
Partnership Against Hate Crime is a
multi-agency forum that holds casework
meetings in both Mendip and South
Somerset areas approximately every six
weeks. Cases are reviewed in order to
ensure that all agencies are working
together to best support victims of
hate crimes and deal with offenders
robustly. A Strategic Partnership
Against Hate Crime meets approximately
every 12 weeks to look at issues raised
at casework meetings and to provide a
strategic overview to Hate Crimes
across Mendip and South Somerset.
Advice to Parents
If your
child is subject to harassment you may
wish to consider the following:
- Authorise disclosure in order that
the Police Officer dealing with the
complaint can contact the school and
advise the head teacher, in order that
the school can monitor the situation
and pass any relevant information which
may help the school resolve the
situation.
- Contact the head teacher
yourself to advise the school and
discuss with them any concerns you may
have relevant to your child.
If the suspect(s) attend the same
school as your child it is important
that the school are advised in order
for them to monitor and intervene, as
they feel appropriate. You or a third
party, such as the Police or Somerset
Racial Equality Council can do this for
you, but only if you authorise
disclosure.
How you can report incidents in the
future:
In an emergency you
can dial 999 for the emergency services
- For non emergencies, telephone
the police on 0845 4567000
- Call in
to your local police station
- Telephone the Diversity Co-
ordinator: Taunton Police Station on
01823 363067 Yeovil Police Station on
01935 402159
- Report via the Avon &
Somerset Constabulary website Hate Crime Pages This will
give details on how you can report Hate
Crime and details of agencies who can
assist etc.
- True Vision Packs:
These are information packs on hate
crime. These packs also contain a self
reporting form for Hate Crime. These
packs are available at public buildings
such as libraries, post offices,
hospitals, Job Centres, Doctors
surgeries, police stations.
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