CRIME PREVENTION IS EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS
IF YOU ARE A VICTIM OF A CRIME:
- Dial 999 in an emergency or 112.
- Alert people around you in whatever way you can – make noise or carry a personal alarm.
- Try to get to somewhere safe where possible.
- If you believe you know why you were attacked, tell the police.
- If you have been physically attacked, don’t shower or change your clothes as it may destroy evidence.
- Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 if you wish to stay anonymous.
IF YOU WITNESS A CRIME:
Report the crime immediately
- Dial 999 in an emergency or 112.
- Keep yourself safe. Do not intervene where your safety is at risk.
- Do not get involved physically – you could become a victim or a perpetrator too.
- If possible, take a photo or record a video on your mobile phone – be aware the police may retain your phone as evidence. Assess the safety of doing this. You do not want to antagonise the perpetrator.
- Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 if you wish to stay anonymous.
TOP TIP: Record as many details as you can as soon as possible. Use notes, memos on your phone or a voice recordings. Include times, locations, what happened, license plates, descriptions of the perpetrator and who else was around or involved. Keep a record of your report – a copy of the email or details of the conversation and who you spoke to.
“IT’S NONE OF MY BUSINESS – WHY SHOULD I REPORT A HATE CRIME?”
“YOU HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE”
As a witness of a hate crime, it is easy to turn a blind eye and convince ourselves that what is happening to someone else is not our responsibility and that it is best not to get involved. However, being an active citizen is about standing up for what is right and challenging hate crimes. It does not mean getting involved or standing up to the perpretator, but by simply reporting what you have seen not only allows the police to investigate acts of hate on behalf of the victim who may be too afraid to report the crime themselves – but to also identify the extent of hate crimes being committed in the local area and what steps the police can put in place to respond to it.
Victims of hate crime do not ask to be targeted or attacked. They deserve their community’s support and reporting a crime on their behalf shows them that they are not alone.