Hate crime and harassment

At Places for People, we believe everyone has the right to feel respected, valued, and safe in their home and Community. We have a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime, harassment, discrimination, victimisation, and bullying. We will take action where needed and report threatening or violent behaviour to the police. Please be respectful.

Defining antisocial behaviour, harassment, and hate crimes

What is Antisocial Behaviour?

Antisocial behaviour is any conduct that causes nuisance, distress, alarm, or harm to individuals, Communities, or property. It can include excessive noise, vandalism, intimidation, or disruptive behaviour that negatively impacts people’s quality of life.

While antisocial behaviour can sometimes overlap with criminal offences, it is distinct from harassment and hate crime, which involve targeted hostility towards individuals based on protected characteristics.

What is harassment?

Harassment is when someone behaves in a way that makes another person feel distressed, humiliated, or threatened. Harassment has been the subject of several pieces of legislation and has more than one legal definition.

If someone is being harassed because of one of the following characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 (disability, gender identity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation), this can be reported as a hate incident or crime.

What is a hate crime?

A hate crime is any criminal offence that is perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on one or more of the following personal characteristics:

• Disability
• Gender identity
• Race or ethnicity
• Religion or belief
• Sexual orientation

Hate crimes can take many forms, including harassment, threats, physical violence, abusive language, and property damage. Even if an incident does not amount to a crime, it may still be a hate incident, which can cause significant distress and harm to the victim.

Our commitment

Places for People does not tolerate any form of hate crime, harassment, or discrimination within our Communities. We will:

• Take reports of hate crime seriously and support those affected.
• Work with the police and relevant agencies to ensure action is taken against offenders.
• Support victims and witnesses through advice, referrals, and safeguarding measures.
• Educate and raise awareness within our Communities to foster respect, equality, and inclusion.

How to report a hate crime

If you witness or experience a hate crime, it is important to report it so that action can be taken. You can report a hate crime in the following ways:

To the police:

• In an emergency: Call 999
• For non-emergencies: Call 101
• Or visit your local police station to speak with an officer.

To Places for People:

We encourage all Customers, Colleagues, and stakeholders to report hate crimes or incidents to us. We can provide additional support, including:

• Referrals to specialist services.
• Advice on your rights and legal options.
• Assistance with temporary re-housing if needed.

You can report incidents to us through:

• Our Customer Contact Centre – 01772 667002 (England) / 0131 657 0600 (Scotland)
• Through our website form – Report an Issue – Community Safety
• By speaking to a local Places for People representative

Working together for safer Communities

We are committed to making our Communities inclusive, welcoming, and safe for everyone. By standing together against hate crime, we can create a society built on respect, dignity, and equality.

If you have concerns about hate crime in your area or would like further support, please reach out to us.

Together, we can make a difference.