What is racist harassment?

Racist harassment is any offensive conduct or behaviour caused by racist prejudice.  This includes prejudice because of skin colour, nationality, ethnic origin or cultural background. 

Some forms of racist harassment, such as racist abuse, insults and threats are obvious to everyone.  Other forms may be less obvious, for example damage to your property, children being “bullied” at school, malicious complaints against you and “anti-social” behaviour.  Sometimes individuals can even be harassed because of their relationship(s) with people from different racist backgrounds.

Obvious or not, racist harassment may cause feelings of anger, frustration, isolation, helplessness and fear.  If you are a victim it is important to know you are not alone and that help is available.

What do the police treat as racist harassment?

Nottinghamshire Police clearly define racist harassment as:

'Any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person'
(Provided by the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry)

If you, or someone you know, have been subject to any sort of racist harassment the police will deal with it as a racist incident. There are no exceptions to this - no “ifs”, no “buts”.  All you need to know is;

'If you say it is racist - it is'

What to do if you have been racistly harassed or have witnessed an incident.

Victims of racist harassment have said that coping with the feelings it produces can be hard to handle.  Knowing what to do and what can be done on your behalf may help.  If an incident occurs:

  • Report it.
  • Make sure the police know you believe it to be a racist incident - tell them.
  • Make sure you get the name and number of the officer you speak to. This helps you if you want to contact the officer again and if you need to talk to other agencies.
  • Keep a record of what the police do and tell you as the case progresses.
  • Make sure you are given a crime number (this may not be available immediately, officers may have to give you this at a later date).
  • Don’t touch anything which might be used as evidence, e.g. weapons, clothes, letters, leaflets etc.  The police may be able to use this in your case.
  • Keep a record of the incident(s).  Include every detail you can remember e.g. date, time, place, description of offenders, actual words used and how it affected you (injuries, frightened etc.).  A desk diary is ideal for this.  This will help when you make a statement rather than having to remember all the details at a later date.
  • Ask for photographs to be taken of anything that shows what has happened e.g. damage to property, graffiti etc. The Police and some councils are able to do this.  If you are able, take photographs yourself.
  • If there are any witnesses, get their names and addresses.  Ask them to write down what they saw and heard and sign it.
  • If anyone is injured, make sure they see a doctor or visit a hospital.  Get visible injuries photographed.
  • Keep a record of any expenses (fares to hospital, loss of earnings etc.).  Claims for compensation can be made at court.

Report racist harassment.

Some victims of racist harassment wonder whether an incident is serious enough to be reported to the police.  All racist harassment is serious.  No one should have to put up with it. 

Nottinghamshire Police and Nottingham & District Racial Equality Council (REC) encourage the reporting of all racist harassment to the police.

You can report racist incidents by telephone, in person, or in writing to your local police station. In emergencies always ring 999.  When you report a racist incident an arrangement will be made for an officer to see you. This will be at a place you are happy with.

Racist incidents can also be reported by somebody else for you  (e.g. a friend or relative) or by a witness.

Racist Incident Help Line  (Non-urgent calls) 08000 85 85 11

Nottinghamshire Police have a freephone help line for reporting non-urgent racist incidents.  You are able to speak to officers who have been specially trained to deal with racist harassment and who understand some of the difficulties people might have in reporting incidents.  This includes any concerns you might have about causing further harassment or that the police will take the incident seriously.

You don’t have to leave your name, but information you provide can be used to build up a picture of where there may be problems.  Sometimes your call will be picked up by an answerphone.  Don’t worry.  Officers will get back to you.  When they do, they will only speak to you directly.  They will respect your wishes about what happens next.

This confidential service can be reached on 08000 85 85 11

Other Ways of Reporting Incidents

If you feel unable to report directly to the police, local community groups and organisations can report on your behalf (see Other Help).

Language Barriers

Language need not be a barrier to reporting a racist incident to the police.  Nottinghamshire Police can telephone an interpreter in over 100 languages at all times of the day.

What you should expect from Nottinghamshire Police

  • To be seen in person by a police officer who will record and investigate the incident.  If you say it’s racist, the officer will accept this without question.
  • To be treated fairly and honestly at all times and with respect.
  • To be kept informed what’s going on at all stages of the investigation.
  • If we say something will be done, it will be.
  • Investigations will be done professionally.  With your agreement offenders will be prosecuted in every possible case.
  • You will be contacted regularly by your local beat officer.
  • Officers will let you know the outcome of the investigation in person.
  • You will have the chance to let officers know how you think they handled your case.

 

What to do if you’re dissatisfied with the police’s service.

The aim of Nottinghamshire Police is that no victim of racist harassment should be dissatisfied with the service given.  If you aren’t happy with the way your case is being handled, tell the officer dealing with it so they can try to put things right.

If you’re still unhappy, contact the Local Area Commander responsible for the policing in your area.  (You can find out who this is by ringing 0115 967 0999). 

If this does not resolve your concerns you have the right to make a formal complaint against the police by speaking to an Inspector at a police station, or by writing to the Chief Constable at Sherwood Lodge, Arnold, Nottingham, NG5 8PP.

What can the Police do about racist harassment?

Incidents will be investigated using all the powers available to the police against crime. This may involve taking statements from witnesses, obtaining forensic evidence (fingerprints and DNA samples) and interviewing suspects.

Whenever possible, the police will always arrest suspects in racist harassment cases.  When suspects are charged, conditions of bail can be imposed to prevent further harassment. 

The police will also support civil action taken by other agencies, such as evictions and injunctions.

In addition to the general laws available to the police, such as assault and damage, the Public Order Act makes it illegal to threaten you with violence or to act in a deliberately abusive or insulting way towards you.

Deliberate harassment is against the law.  If someone deliberately harasses you on more than one occasion it is illegal and they can be arrested under the Protection from Harassment Act.

Finally, when cases go to court, the Crime and Disorder Act makes sure offenders are given greater sentences for offences if they are shown to include racial hostility or are racially motivated.

Other help against racist harassment

As well as action by the police, other action can be taken against racist harassment. 

Your local council can help if you are being harassed or discriminated against.  The council have a responsibility to all residents and not only their tenants.  Contact details are in the local phonebook.

Solicitors can help you to take civil action to stop people harassing you by asking a court for an injunction. Injunctions are useful because you can get them very quickly to stop a problem.  Also a civil court doesn’t need the same amount of proof to give an injunction that the police need when prosecuting someone. Some solicitors give their first advice free.  Phone numbers are in the Yellow Pages.

Help and support are available in racist harassment cases.  You can get support and report incidents using the following numbers:

08000 85 85 11

Racist Incidents Reporting & Help  Line

The police’s freephone service will get you in touch with officers specially trained to deal with racist incidents.

                       

0115 9586 515

Nottingham & District Racist Equality Council (REC)

The REC provide advice and support to victims of racist harassment in Nottinghamshire. This includes working with councils, the police and other agencies.  The REC can also provide support and represent you if you have suffered racist discrimination in employment, housing or immigration.

0115 969 1224

Afro-Caribbean & Asian Forum & Nottinghamshire Common Monitoring Project                              

The Afro-Caribbean & Asian Forum offer support and advice on a wide range of issues affecting all black communities. Racist incidents can be reported through the Forum

The Common Monitoring Project receives information from a large number of organisations about racist incidents in Nottinghamshire.  Details of reporting centres where racist incidents can be reported, including councils, schools and community organisations can be provided.  The Project is based at the Afro-Caribbean & Asian Forum.

01636 687 090

Newark and Sherwood Reporting Line

Newark and Sherwood Racist Awareness Forum have a local reporting line for racist incidents.  There is an answerphone service when the phone is not staffed.

 

01623 555551

Ashfield Links Forum

Ashfield Racist Issues Group hold drop-in sessions for victims of racist harassment.  Call the Ashfield Links Forum for details of where and when the sessions are.

 

01909 476118 ext 23

Bassetlaw Race Awareness Forum

Bassetlaw Race Awareness Forum have information about groups in the north of Nottinghamshire that can help against racist harassment.  Contact the District Partnership Officer for details.

Information is also available on their web site at www.bcvs.org.uk

See left for other specialist areas of work.