We are proud of the diverse communities which make the Maldon District a unique and vibrant place to live, work and explore. However, we know that diversity often means overcoming challenges like discrimination, harassment, and hate.
This sort of behaviour is classed as a Hate Crime or Hate Incident. The Maldon District has a zero tolerance policy on hate crime and we are actively working with the Maldon District Community Safety Partnership, Essex Police, and other agencies to challenge and tackle hate crime in the Maldon District.
What is Hate Crime?
Hate Crime is the term used to discuss both Hate Crimes and Hate Incidents.
Hate Crimes are any crimes perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice.
Hate Incidents feel like crimes and often escalate to crimes or tensions in a community.
Both are committed because of a person’s actual or perceived:
- Race (including ethnicity, nationality or national origin, Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities)
- Religion or belief (including no faith)
- Sexual Orientation (including people who identify as Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual)
- Gender Identity (including people who identify as Transgender, Non-binary, or Gender fluid)
- Disability (including learning, mental health, physical or sensory disabilities)
Hate crimes can be, but are not limited to:
- a physical attack like hitting and assault
- verbal abuse or insults including name calling or offensive jokes
- offensive graffiti
- spitting, insulting gestures
- neighbourhood disputes
- threats, harassment, or intimidation
- unfounded malicious complaints
- people doing things that frighten, intimidate, or distress you
- offensive letters, posters, emails, texts, phone calls, social media messages, photographs, and videos
- damage to property or belongings, arson, and vandalism
- dumping rubbish outside homes or through letter boxes
- bullying at work, at school or college or university
- befriending vulnerable people to take advantage of, exploit and or abuse them – often referred to as ‘mate crime’.
Reporting Hate Crime
Reporting Hate Crime is vital to ensuring that our communities can live, work and feel safe from prejudice in the Maldon District, and take appropriate action against those who commit a Hate Crime.
You can report Hate Crime and Hate Incidents to Essex Police, Crimestoppers, True Vision, or Stop Hate.
- Essex Police - How to report hate crime | Essex Police or call 101
- Crimestoppers - call 0800 555 111
- True Vision - visit report-it.org.uk
- Stop Hate - visit stophateuk.org or call 0800 138 1625 (free 24-hour helpline) or 0808 801 0576 (for under 18s)
Local Hate Crime Incident Reporting Centres and organisations can also provide additional support as well as other ways to report Hate Crime, please see below for their contact details:
Maldon District Council
Princes Road
Maldon
CM9 5DL
Phone: 01621 854477
Citizens Advice Maldon & District
Princes Road
Maldon
CM9 5DL
Phone: 01621 875774 (10am - 4pm weekdays)
If you are in immediate danger
If you are the victim of, or witness to a Hate Crime or Hate Incident and feel that you, or someone else is in immediate danger, call Essex police on 999.