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Safer Leicester Partnership - working together for a safer city
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Disability Hate Incident

What is a disability hate incident?

A disability hate incident is any incident where you or someone else has been targeted because they or you are believed to have a disability.
No two hate incidents are the same but they may include the following:

 

  • Verbal abuse and name-calling

  • Physical attack

  • Graffiti or other deliberate damage to property

  • Written or recorded threats

 

If you see someone getting harassed, and you think it is because they are disabled you can report it as an incident, even if the victim has not done so.

 

Why report?

  • Reporting incidents will provide valuable information to the police. Your information may contribute to the identification, arrest and / or prosecution of the offender.

  • Reporting incidents will allow patterns of behaviour and crime hotspots to be identified, allowing the police to target resources more effectively to reduce the incidence of hate crime and to promote safer communities.

  • Reporting incidents will assist in the development of projects with partner agencies to combat disability hate incidents in local areas.

 

What can I report?

  • Any incident where you believe you, or anyone, has been targeted because they have a disability.

  • Any incident you know or believe was motivated by reasons of disability; for example graffiti, harassment by neighbours, bullying in school or verbal abuse.

  • Domestic abuse, violence or aggression against someone by a family member, partner or ex-partner in an existing or previous relationship regardless of gender or sexuality, can also be reported.

 

How can I report an incident?

  • Visit your local police station

  • Telephone the police on 0116 222 2222

  • Use a self/third party reporting form – which can be obtained at reporting centresor

  • Downloada self/third party reporting form here.

 

Who can I talk to?

  • If you wish to speak to a police officer in confidence, telephone Leicester (0116) 222 2222 and ask to be put in contact with your local Hate Crime Officer. They have a 24-hour answer phone facility. If you leave a message always ensure you leave a safe address or telephone number where they can contact you.

  • In an emergency, always dial 999.

 

What to record?

  • If you have experienced a disability incident, it is important that you record as many details as possible. You should try to record the exact details of the incident while it is still fresh in your mind. In particular, it is important to record the following:

  • The date, time, duration of the incident; for example, 09/01/2011 at 6.00pm to 6.15pm.

  • Where the incident took place; for example, in the street, at school or at your home.

  • Brief details of what happened; for example, if you were assaulted, what injuries were caused etc.

  • If the injuries involved graffiti, do not try to remove it. Record exactly what was written or drawn and report it to the police. If the incident included disability abuse, record precisely what was said as soon as possible.

  • If you receive  written material in the post, try not to handle the material more than once because important evidence such as fingerprints could be lost. Make sure that you save any envelopes or packaging.

 

Details of perpetrator(s)

  • The following information may assist the police to catch the person/people responsible, for example:

  • The number of people involved.

  • Whether they were male or female.

  • Their approximate age, height, build, eye colour and ethnicity.

  • Any distinguishing marks such as scars, tattoos.

  • Their hair colour and style.

  • Any facial hair or the wearing of glasses.

  • Their clothing.

  • Any distinguishing accents.

 

Details of vehicles:

  • If a vehicle was involved you should record as much detail as you can; for example:

  • The make, model and colour of the vehicle.

  • The registration number.

  • It’s direction of travel.

  • The number of occupants.

 

Details of witnesses:

  • It is important to include the name and address of anyone who has witnessed the incident; for example, friends or neighbours.

 

A prompt response:

  • If you call the police to report an incident, ask for the incident reference number. A police officer will come to speak to you as soon as possible. Ensure that you obtain the police officer’s name and number. An investigating officer will always be appointed and you will be told who that person is.