Report it to Sort it – how to combat hate crime

Did you know that we have accredited places where you can report hate crime?

The Strategic Hate Crime Partnership (SHCP) Hate Incident Reporting Centre (HIRC) and Hate Crime Ambassador (HCA) programme is a key element in the Essex Police Hate Crime Team ‘Stop The Hate’ campaign, which was launched in 2013.

A HIRC can act as an alternative place for reporting such incidents rather than directly to the police, in case someone who is experiencing hate crime is fearful of any repercussions.

The centres work in collaboration with Essex Police and other partner agencies to provide much-needed support, information and reassurance to individuals during the reporting process.

Currently, there are HIRCs in various locations in Basildon, Billericay, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Clacton, Colchester, Epping, Greys, Harlow, Maldon, Saffron Walden, Southend, Tilbury and Witham.

The scheme also invites community members to become Hate Crime Ambassadors (HCAs), who are trained in raising hate crime awareness and promoting reporting of such incidents. Ambassadors can work in partnership organisations, or simply want to make a difference to their communities.

Volunteers are asked to complete a short accredited training session run by Essex Police, which provides HCAs with the knowledge and information to recognise a hate crime or incident, write an effective report, and provide advice and support.

HCAs are expected to take part in a minimum of two educational or awareness raising activities annually, working with other partners, HIRCs or other Hate Crime Ambassadors, in order to spread the message on Hate Crime.

Detective Constable David Acres, who specialises in Hate Crime, said: “Partners who have become HIRCs have commented that since becoming accredited, they feel that they can empower those who they support to come forward and realise that living with hate incidents is not acceptable.

“Those who have completed the Hate Crime Ambassador training feel that they are really making a difference in both raising awareness of this subject, as well as giving vital information and reassurance to those brave enough to come forward in reporting incidents”.

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