Rejecting hate in all its forms

We’re supporting Hate Crime Awareness Week to send out a message that hate incidents and crime will never be tolerated in our city.

This year’s Hate Crime Awareness Week runs from Saturday 11 to Saturday 18 October.

It aims to bring people across the country together to stand in solidarity with those affected by hate crime, to remember those we have lost, and help those who need ongoing support.

The week also raises awareness of what is a hate crime, how to report it if this happens to you and where to seek support.

Hate crime covers a range of behaviour motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person’s disability, race or ethnicity, religion or faith, sexual orientation or gender expression.

While legally defined around these protected characteristics, hate crime reflects a harmful pattern of hostility towards anyone seen as different or an ‘outsider’, whether because of how they look, speak, live, or simply because they don't fit a perpetrator's intolerant views.

Hate crimes are devastating attacks that target not just the individual but their entire identity and community, leaving lasting trauma, fear, and a profound sense of vulnerability that erodes their feeling of safety and belonging in society.

No place for hate

Councillor Mitchie Alexander, Cabinet member for Communities, Equalities and Adult Social Care, said: “We are proud to support Hate Crime Awareness Week and to stand against hate crime and hate in all its forms.

“During recent weeks we have witnessed really distressing acts of violence, targeting our friends and our communities at their most vulnerable.

“Everyone has a right to feel safe, to live their authentic lives, to practice their beliefs and to come home safe to their loved ones at the end of each day.

“We are committed to equality and inclusion for all our residents, and we will never ever tolerate hate, prejudice, or the targeting of any of our communities in our beautiful and diverse city.

“If you have been affected by hate crime, please report it. You will be listened to, and you will be taken seriously. This is the way that we can send out a strong message that hate crimes will not be tolerated and how we will bring the perpetrators to justice.”

Reporting hate crime

Everyone in Brighton & Hove has a right to feel safe.

We urge everyone to be aware and encourage residents and communities to report any racist, religiously motivated, and all forms of hate incidents within our communities.

Talking to someone can be part of the process of looking after yourself when you have experienced harmful behaviour.

Local research tells us that when someone reporting an incident is treated with respect, taken seriously, asked what they’d like to happen and clearly understands the action that will be taken, they feel properly heard and the level of harm they feel can often be significantly reduced.

Reporting also helps set an example that hate crime is not acceptable.

Council tenants, council leaseholders and tenants of leaseholders who've experienced hate incidents or ASB should report it to Housing Customer Services.

Housing association tenants need to report incidents to their landlord.

Private rented sector tenants and owner occupiers can report hate incidents and ASB to the Community Safety Team using our online anti-social behaviour and hate incident reporting form or by contacting our Community Safety team by emailing communitysafety.casework@brighton-hove.gov.uk or calling 01273 292735.

Our community safety casework team works closely with the police and our communities to prevent anti-social behaviour and hate incidents and support people affected.

Sussex Alerts

If you’d like to find out what’s happening in your area, you can sign-up to Sussex Police’s ‘Sussex Alerts’ for crime news and updates, crime prevention advice, witness appeals and details of where you can meet officers in person or attend events. Find out more and sign up at www.sussexalerts.co.uk.

Related news