Report a hate incident

There are many ways you can report a hate incident or hate crime. We encourage you to always report this to the police, but you may report to Victim Support, CATCH or another charity, or directly to the Council, if you prefer.

In an emergency, you should always call 999 and tell the police.

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, you can use the police textphone service on 18000; text the police on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergency SMS service; or download and use the ‘999 BSL’ app.

If it is not an emergency, you can report it:

  • to the police by calling 101
  • by visiting your local police station at 2 Arnsberg Way, Bexleyheath
  • online at the Metropolitan Police website

Alternatively, if you wish to make an anonymous report, you can contact CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or complete an online form.

Additional reporting

If you want to inform the Community Safety Team at the London Borough of Bexley of the hate incident, you can do so through our Antisocial behaviour report form.

If the hate crime took place in or close to your home or involved a neighbour, you should also report it to your landlord; Housing Association (by telephone or online antisocial behaviour complaints forms) or to the London Borough of Bexley if you are a council tenant or in temporary accommodation.

What is Hate Crime?

Hate crime requires two things: crime and motivation.

The crime can be:

  • physical assault (to person or property)
  • verbal abuse (including harassment)
  • incitement to hatred (such as intimidation or threats)

The motivation must be prejudice towards someone because of their:

  • race or ethnicity
  • religion, faith or belief
  • sexual orientation
  • transgender identity
  • disability

If a crime occurs and you think it is because of one of these characteristics of the victim, then this is a hate crime.

For more information, visit the Metropolitan Police website

Why report it?

Hate crime has no place in Bexley, and we all have a role to play in stopping it. Only by reporting a hate crime is the police able to respond to it.

It is important to report all hate incidents, even if you think that:

  • nothing can be done
  • you have too little information
  • or, if you have seen an incident, that the victim does not wish to be identified

You may make a report anonymously or without naming the victim. Reporting the incident enables police, the local authority, and other agencies to identify areas of concern, patterns of behaviour, and needs in the communities to do something about them and make our borough safer for everyone.

Hate crimes are not only crimes against the victim but also against the group they represent. By reporting it, you can prevent others in that group from being subjected to hate in the same way.

The police will:

  • investigate all reported incidents of hate crime
  • take legal action where there is enough evidence
  • keep in contact with and support you during this process

The Council will:

  • support the police in its work
  • safeguard and help victims where needed
  • utilise report data to adopt strategies and policies aimed at tackling hate crime
  • raise awareness of hate crime (what it is and how to report it) to our residents

London Victim and Witness Service will:

  • provide guidance, information, and resources on how to keep safe and respond to hate crime
  • provide casework support, advocacy and signposting for victims and witnesses of hate crime
  • connect residents to local groups and organisations or services that can provide additional support, such as enhancing physical security, promoting mental wellbeing reducing feelings of isolation and improving a sense of belonging

Support for all victims of hate and hate crime

Many groups, organisations and agencies are available to support victims of hate crime. You can contact these agencies to discuss your needs and get support or visit their websites to find resources and training if you wish to learn more.

CATCH – Communities Against Hate

CATCH is a group of charities working to end hate crime. They provide specialist help and advice for victims of hate in London, aged 18+.  

Referrals can be made by professionals on CATCH website.

Victim Support

Provides support for victims of all types of crime, including hate crime. They have a dedicated service for children. You can contact their support line on 0808 168911, fill out their online form, or start a live chat.

Visit the Victim Support website.

Mind in Bexley

If you are experiencing mental distress, Mind in Bexley can help with services such as advocacy, befriending, information, psychological support services and counselling. Call them on 020 8303 8932 or visit their get help page.

Visit the Mind in Bexley website.

Shout

For a free, confidential, 24/7 text support service if you feel in crisis, text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258.

Visit the Shout website.

Citizens Advice Bexley

Provides free, independent, confidential, and impartial advice to everyone about their rights and responsibilities regarding legal, discrimination and other issues. They can be called on 01322 517 150 or contact them online.

Visit the Citizens Advice Bexley website.

Stop Hate UK

Have many resources and information pages on their website. Also offer commissioned services in other boroughs, including Greenwich. If you find yourselves outside Bexley and are victim or witness to any type of hate crime within the Stop Hate Areas, call 0800 1381 625, email talk@stophateuk.org, text 07717 989 025 or fill out an online form.

Visit the Stop Hate UK website.

Support for LGBT+ people

Stonewall

Information and support for LGBT+ communities and their allies. Contact Stonewall's Information Service Freephone on 0800 0502020 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

Visit the Stonewall website.

Galop

Provides confidential support for the LGBT+ community. Use their hate crime helpline on 020 77042 040, email help@galop.org.uk for support or use their webchat.

Visit the Galop website.

METRO (youths and children)

Shine (16 to 25) and Zest (12 to 16) are LGBTQ+ youth groups in the borough. Shine runs on Mondays in Woolwich and Zest runs on Fridays at Bexley Youth Advice.

Visit the METRO (youths and children) website.

Spectra

Spectra offer sexual health and wellbeing support, including for LGBQ+ young people, in London. 

Email counselling@spectra-london.org.uk, call 020 3322 6923, or visit the Spectra CIC website - Counselling.

Support for Transgender and Non-Binary people

METRO Transcend

A group for trans and non-binary and gender questioning youth. Social sessions take place on Zoom, fortnightly. Email youth@metrocharity.org.uk or call 020 8305 5004. You can refer yourself or be referred by someone who works with you (like a youth worker or teacher).

Visit the METRO Transcend website.

Spectra

Spectra offer wellbeing support, including for trans people, in London. Trans services include social groups, counselling, 1-2-1 mentoring, advocacy and signposting.

Email counselling@spectra-london.org.uk, call 020 3322 6923, or visit the Spectra CIC website - Trans services.

Intersectional Support for LGBTQ+ Persons

CASPA

Runs a Pryzm programme for LGBTQ+ autistic young people and their parents.

Visit the CASPA website.

House of Rainbow

Provide holistic pastoral care for LGBTIQ+ Christians, related to cultures and traditions of Black African Caribbean origins.

Visit the House of Rainbow website.

Traveller Pride

A community group of LGBT+ Travellers advocating for intersectional recognition. Provides a limited number of funded therapy sessions or otherwise able to signpost to Traveller-friendly therapists.

Visit the Traveller Pride website.

Sarbat Sikhs

Sarbat is a volunteer led group addressing LGBT issues from a Sikh perspective. Provide resources and a social book club. Empower Sikhs to encourage discussions, tackle homophobia/biphobia/transphobia and build bridges within and beyond their communities.

Visit the Sarbat Sikhs website.

Hidayah LGBT+

‘Walk with me’ mentorship programme for Muslim LGBT+ people.

Visit the Hidayah LGBT+ website.

Support for disabled people or people with disabilities

Real

An organisation providing emotional support, advising on rights, and supporting through police and criminal process for people who have experienced disability hate. Call 020 7001 2177 or email real.advocacy@real.org.uk. 

More information at Disability Hate Crime Advocacy - Real home.

Bexley Mencap

Supports people with learning disabilities. Call 020 8303 6446, email office@bexleymencap.org.uk or contact Bexley Mencap online.

Visit the Bexley Mencap website.

Bexley Snap

An organisation offering support services and clubs for disabled young people and their families in Bexley. Call 01322 334 192 or email admin@bexleysnap.org.uk to become a member.

Visit the Bexley Snap website.

Support for minority ethnic people

The Monitoring Group

A group working against racism and anti-religion. Can contact them for support and advice. Can report racism to them directly via this link.

Visit The Monitoring Group website

SARI (Stand Against Racism and Inequality)

Provides free and confidential support to victims of hate crime, as well as professionals such as employers and teachers, and work towards increasing understanding and inclusion for minorities. Call 0117 942 0060 or fill out an online form here.

Visit the SARI website 

Friends, Families and Travellers

A Traveller-led charity providing support and advocating to end racism and discrimination against Gypsies, Roma and Travellers. Call their helpline on 01273 234 777 or get advice online. Report racism or racist hate crime against Gypsies, Roma and Travellers.

Visit the Friends, Families and Travellers website

The Traveller Movement

A Charity comprised of ethnic Romany Gypsies, Irish travellers, Roma and the working class which provides advice and information in relation to hate crime.

Visit The Traveller Movement website

Bexley Asian Women

A group meeting every Wednesday at Belvedere Community Centre, Mitchell Close, DA17 6AA between 10.30am to 1.30pm to discuss issues of concern to them and share their experiences. Visit the centre or call 07466 484 199 to find out more.

Visit the Bexley Asian Women website

Irish Community Services

A group providing various services for the Irish community, including a lunch club, online community, legal and welfare advice, and more. To find out more, call 020 8854 4466, email office@irishcommunityservices.org.uk or use the online chat.

Visit the Irish Community Services website

On Your Side

Hate Crime support and report service aiming to serve East and South East Asian community. Has free 24/7 helpline in various South Asian languages, on 0808 801 0393.

Visit the On Your Side website

Support for religious people

Tell MAMA

For anti-muslim incidents, call 0800 456 1226, text 0115 707 00 07, WhatsApp 0734 184 6086, email info@tellmamauk.org, or submit an online report.

Visit the Tell MAMA website.

Community Security Trust

For antisemitism incidents, call 0800 032 3263 for an urgent response, otherwise, make an online report.

Visit the Community Security Trust website.