sussex police website brighton & hove city council website

Religiously Motivated Incidents

We take religiously motivated incidents seriously and have developed a number of options to make it easier for you to report. We aim to encourage people to report these incidents to us, ensure victims and witnesses are fully supported and build their confidence in the criminal justice system.

Remember, in an emergency call 999.

  • How to get help

    • Complete the Anti-Social Behaviour & Hate Crime Reporting Form
    • E-mail the Casework Team
    • Call the Safe in the City Casework Team on (01273) 292735
      This line is staffed Monday to Friday 9-5 with an answer machine service out of hours
    • Call the Brighton & Hove City Council call centre on (01273) 292929
      This line is staffed Monday to Friday 9-5 with an answer machine service out of hours
    • Request a True-Vision easy-read self-reporting form for people with learning disabilities
    • Report to us at the BMECP on Fleet street from 12-2.30 every other Friday. (call us on 01273 292735 if you want us to tell you when we’re there next)
    • In an emergency always call the police on 999
    • Call the police on 101 if it is not urgent

    When you report anti-social behaviour to us we will keep to our Victim & Witness Standards

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is a religiously motivated hate incident?

      

    A religiously motivated hate incident is any incident which is perceived to be religiously motivated by the victim, witness or any other person. It can also include mistaken identity: at times, offenders may mistakenly believe that you are a Muslim or Jewish and may abuse/harass you. It can also include hostility based on the victim having no religious belief or faith.

    Direct religiously motivated incidents can include:

    • physical abuse – spitting, punching, kicking, slapping, pushing or behaviour which leads to physical injury
    • threats – words of a threatening nature, for example “I’m going to beat you up” or “I’m going to get you and your family” etc
    • verbal abuse – faith name calling, swearing, abusive telephone calls, etc
    • sexual abuse – this can be abuse including degradation, rape, assault, etc
    • written/printed abuse – letters by post, leaflets or posters using racist language, abusive text messages, abusive messages on the facebook or other social media etc
    • graffiti / religiously offensive language or images – written/drawn onto property.
    • attacks on property/home – eggs/stones thrown at property, tyres slashed, windows broken etc
    • harassment – persistent intimidating or threatening behaviour which is spread over a period of time
    Related subjects: 
    Religiously Motivated Incidents

  • What if I don’t want to report an incident but need some support?

      

    We provide support to people who have experienced hate incidents or crimes because of hostility based on their race, religion and / or disability. Caseworkers will:

    • provide a language/sign interpreter, if you need one
    • listen to your needs and take your concerns seriously
    • undertake an initial risk assessment within one working day
    • offer you a single point of contact
    • arrange to meet you at your home, if you wish
    • develop an action plan to resolve the complaint
    • with your agreement, work with other agencies on the agreed actions to:
      – solve your complaint
      – take actions against the person/s who is causing the incidents, where possible.
    • support you throughout the process and if you need to go to court
    • ask for your feedback to improve our service
    • aim for an outcome that is both realistic and agreeable to you
    Related subjects: 
    Racist Incidents
    Religiously Motivated Incidents