Being Different Is Not A Crime

Being different is not a crime…

It takes all kinds of people to build a community www.blackpool.gov.uk/hatecrime

What can I report?

Any hate crime or incident

HATE INCIDENT: This is any incident where you or anyone else has been targeted because they are believed to be different. Someone can be harassed, victimised, intimidated or abused by someone else because of their: Race Disability Religion Gender (including Trans) or Age because they are Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual Some examples of hate incidents People swearing at you or making abusive remarks and calling you names

Someone threatening you or doing things that frighten, intimidate or distress you

Bullying at school or in the workplace

Making nuisance phone calls that upset or annoy you

Sending you nasty letters, e-mails or text messages

People may say or do things that make you feel alarmed, scared, upset or in fear of violence. It may be a neighbour or someone else who keeps calling you names, threatens to hurt you or damages your property. If someone commits a criminal offence that makes you feel like this, it is called a HATE CRIME. Some examples of hate crimes Graffiti

Domestic or ‘honour’ based violence

Someone attacking you, hitting you, spitting or throwing things at you

Damage to property

Arson

Forced Marriage

Stealing from you

Anyone can be a victim; you do not have to be a member of a minority community, or someone who is generally considered to be vulnerable. For example, a heterosexual man who is called names when he’s leaving a gay bar can be a victim of homophobia even though he himself is not gay. In this way, anyone can be the victim of a hate incident. Who can report? Anybody can report a hate crime or a hate incident. If you are the victim or you know someone who is a victim of a hate incident then we want to know about it. You can report anonymously (you do not need to tell us who you are), but if you want us to contact you, you must leave a telephone number, address or e-mail address. You can report an incident even if you do not have all of the information requested on the form, as any information that you can provide may be valuable. Confidentiality All incidents reported to the council or to the police will be treated confidentially and will only be passed on to other relevant agencies if you give your consent. You may be contacted by a Council officer for further information unless you do not wish to be contacted.

Why report it? Hate crimes/incidents can cause a person to feel humiliated, embarrassed or angry. Sometimes they can cause death or injury, and will almost always cause stress, illness and fear. Repeated incidents can lead to severe distress, making life unbearable. If incidents are reported, support can be offered to the victim. Hate crimes/incidents can create a climate of fear. They can stop people from taking part fully in everyday life because of their ever-present fear. Reporting helps people to feel safer. Episodes of hate crimes/incidents are not only significant for an individual, family or group; they have widespread and long-term consequences for the whole community. It will help us prevent future crimes and incidents, and offenders will be dealt with appropriately. So, if you have witnessed or been the victim of a hate incident, please

report it

The information will be recorded and used by the Council and partner organisations such as the Police and the Racial Equality Council to provide help and support to the victim, deal with the person(s) responsible and prevent similar incidents happening in the future. All incidents are taken very seriously and treated in the strictest confidence.

How do I report? There are different ways to report a hate crime or hate incident. You can : Complete the HATE INCIDENT REPORTING FORM


Online: at www.blackpool.gov.uk/hatecrime By post: you can download the form at www.blackpool.gov.uk/hatecrime or pick one up from Customer First (Corporation Street) and return it (no stamp required) to: FREEPOST FED Unit PO Box 117 Westgate House Squires Gate Lane Blackpool FY4 2GD Telephone Blackpool Police on 01253 293933 Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 Report to the Police online: www.lancashire.police.co.uk

In an emergency call

999 to contact the Police

AGE

Advice and Support

Age Concern Information & Advice Centre 64 Cookson Street Blackpool FY1 3DR www.ageconcern.org.uk Tel: 01253 622812 Free, confidential service, for older people and their carers. Drop in, telephone, home visit or appointment.

DISABILITY Disability Information & Support [email protected] Tel: 01253 472202 / 472203 Impartial and confidential information and advice on a wide range of topics for people with disabilities or anyone wanting information on disability issues. * Please note: If you are unable to reach the service on the above

Blackpool Young People’s Council www.rubothered.co.uk Blackpool Council Access and Participation Unit: 01253 754841 [email protected]

Connexions Direct (young people age 13-19) www.connexions-direct.com to email or speak to an adviser online Tel: 080 800 13219 Text: 07766 413219 Open every day from 8am until 2am. You don't have to give your name or personal details if you don't want to. telephone numbers please call Advice Link on 476843 for more information.

Mind (Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre Mind) [email protected] Tel: 01253 626997 Mind works to create a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress.

Mobility Panel [email protected] www.b4me.com/mobility

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 24hr National Domestic Violence Helpline Tel: 0808 2000 247

Fylde Coast Women's Aid Tel: 01253 596699 www.womensaid.org.uk

domesticabuse.team@blackpool. gov.uk Tel: 01253 651097 (Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm)

Women's Aid is the national domestic violence charity which co-ordinates and supports an England-wide network of over 300 local organisations, providing over 500 projects which include refuge accommodation, outreach services, children's services, telephone helplines and information services.

FAITH

Blackpool Mosque & Islamic Community Centre

Blackpool Faith Forum

2 Revoe Street Blackpool FY1 5HN Tel: 01253 291967 www.blackpool-mosque.co.uk

Blackpool Council, Domestic Abuse Team

www.interfaithatblackpool.com [email protected] 01253 477316

Fylde Coast Hindu Society Dr K Vasudev Tel: 01253 720747 [email protected]

Blackpool Interfaith Forum For Youth (BIFFY) www.rubothered.co.uk/biffy Blackpool Council Access and Participation Unit: 01253 754841 [email protected]

Blackpool Reform Jewish Congregation The Synagogue Raikes Parade Blackpool FY1 4EX Tel: 01253 713619 [email protected]

Blackpool United Hebrew Congregation Rabbi David Braunold Synagogue Chambers Leamington Road Blackpool FY1 4HD Tel: 01253 392382

FORCED MARRIAGE AND ‘HONOUR HONOUR’ HONOUR BASED VIOLENCE Forced Marriage Unit Tel: 020 7008 0151 Emergency duty officer 020 7008 1500 [email protected]

Karma Nirvana Tel: 0800 5999247 www.karmanirvana.org.uk Asian Male and Female Project: Providing emotional and practical support to help survivors of forced

GENDER Fylde Coast Women's Aid Tel: 01253 596699 www.womensaid.org.uk

The Gender Trust 0845 2310505 www.gendertrust.org.uk [email protected] Helps adults throughout the UK who are Transsexual, Gender Dysphoric, Transgender or those who's lives are effected by gender identity issues.

marriage safely rebuild their lives.

Sahara 48 Fishwick Parade Preston PR1 4XQ Tel: 01772 702090 [email protected] Drop-in centre for Asian, African and African Caribbean women providing advice, information, counselling and support. Access to interpreters: Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi and Urdu.

Renaissance Blackpool www.gynwayblackpool.com/ renaissance_transgender_forum. htm [email protected] Friendly social meetings for trans people (TV/TS/TG-M2F & F2M).

Transinclusion www.transinclusion.org [email protected] Tel: 01253 311431 Mobile: 07875 355390 Blackpool based group dedicated to promoting awareness of the issues affecting trans people and people with gender identity disorders.

RACE and ETHNICITY African and Caribbean Friends & Relatives Association (AFRA) www.b4me.com/afra [email protected]

Blackpool Fylde & Wyre Filipino Community Organization www.filipinogroups.co.uk

Blackpool Race Equality Forum 01253 477117 [email protected] .uk

Preston and Western Lancashire Racial

Equality Council www.prestonrec.org.uk [email protected] Tel: 01772 885128 FREEPHONE helpline: 0808 808 7398 Race Hate Awareness and Prevention (RHAP) works in partnership with key agencies to tackle racist incidents but is independent of the Police.

Sahara [email protected] Tel: 01772 702090 Drop-in centre for Asian, African and African Caribbean women providing advice, information, counselling and support. Access to interpreters: Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi and Urdu.

SEXUAL ORIENTATION

The Blue Phone

Blackpool Wyre & Fylde LGBT Forum

The BLUE PHONE is carried by an LGBT Community Volunteer 24/7. Members of the LGBT Community in Blackpool and Fylde can call and speak to a Volunteer for advice, guidance and to report crimes and incidents anonymously if they do not wish to speak to the Police directly. Although the Volunteer is guided by the Police, details will not be disclosed to the Police if the caller does not consent.

www.b4me.com/lgbtforum [email protected] Forum group that is open to all of the LGBT community. Meetings are laid back and informal and a MUST for any one wanting to keep abreast of the latest local issues. Sub-groups include an older LGBT forum and a women’s group.

07940 979610

National Lesbian & Gay Switchboard Tel: 0207 837 7324

Lesbian and Gay Foundation Helpline Tel: 0845 330 3030 (6pm - 10pm)

Ok2be LGBT young people’s group. Blackpool Council Access and Participation Unit: 01253 754841 [email protected]

GENERAL ADVICE AND SUPPORT

Shiver (Sexual Health HIV Education and Responses) Project 102, 102 Dickson Road Blackpool, FY1 2BU [email protected] Tel: 01253 311431 Confidential service supporting the needs of people in Blackpool living with or affected by HIV or other sexual health concerns. Open and informal public forum where any equalities issues can be raised and discussed.

Citizens Advice Bureau Blackpool Advocacy Myriad House, 6A Skyways Amy Johnson Way Blackpool FY4 2RP Tel: 01253 405959 www.blackpooladvocacy.co.uk A free, confidential and independent service providing support and representation to adults who may be experiencing difficulties, or do not know how to obtain support, in relation to health, social care or domestic violence.

Blackpool Equalities Forum www.b4me.com/equalitiesforum [email protected] .uk

6-10 Whitegate Drive Blackpool FY3 9AQ Tel: 01253 308400 [email protected] www.blackpoolcab.org.uk Free, confidential, impartial and independent advice provided by fully trained advisers. Initial advice on any subject. Advice available in person at a drop-in session, or at the NHS Walk in Centre on Tues & Thurs evenings (appointment only). Outreach advice also available at 9 doctors surgeries (registered patients only). www.adviceguide.org.uk is an online CAB service that provides independent advice.

Samaritans 16 Edward Street Blackpool FY1 1BA

Tel: 01253 622218 National Helpline: 08457 909090 [email protected] Confidential, emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide.

Victim Support 37 Springfield Road Blackpool FY1 1PZ Tel: 0845 373 2458 (Blackpool), National Helpline: 0845 3030900 northerndistrict.lancashire@victim support.org.uk Confidential and independent support and information for victims of crime and for witnesses attending local courts. Services are free and available to everyone, whether or not the crime has been reported.

Police Contacts

Race Relations and Disability Officer

If your incident isn't an emergency and you'd like to speak to the police about a crime/incident please contact the officers below:

PC Julie Hall Tel: 01253 604244

LGBT Liaison Officer PC Lindsey Nottingham Tel: 01253 607242 [email protected] nn.police.uk

[email protected]. uk

Disability Neighbourhood Policing contact PCSO Bev Keohane

[email protected] n.police.uk

This booklet has been produced by the Equality and Diversity Unit Blackpool Council PO Box 117 Westgate House Squires Gate Lane Blackpool FY4 2GD Tel: 01253 477117 E-mail: [email protected]

www.blackpool.gov.uk/hatecrime

IN AN EMERGENCY CALL

999

TO CONTACT THE POLICE To ensure our services are accessible to all, documents prepared by Blackpool Council are available in large print, Braille, on audio-cassette or computer disk upon request.

We can also provide help for British Sign Language users and provide information in other languages.