What are Hate Crimes?

A Hate Crime can be defined as:  

Any Hate incident, which constitutes a criminal offence, perceived by the victim or any other person as being motivated by prejudice or hate.
(Source: Association of Chief Police Officers)

All incidents, whether or not they are crimes, have to be investigated fully. Hate crimes are suffered by people, usually in silence, because of other peoples attitudes and behaviour towards an individual due to their skin colour, nationality, religion/ ethnic origin, gender, disability or sexual orientation.

A Hate Incident can be defined as:

Any incident which may or may not constitute a criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person as being motivated by prejudice or hate.
(Source: Association of Chief Police Officers)

These incidents can take the form of assault, verbal or written abuse, damage to property and threats. The forum can investigate incidents involving neighbour disputes, unfair dismissals and any incident motivated by hate. Hate incidents can take many guises, but people may not realise they can be investigated and positive outcomes reached.

DISCRIMINATORY BEHAVIOUR SHOULD NEVER BE TOLERATED

What is PACH?

ESREC and Burton Police identified the need for agencies to work together to tackle problems of racial harassment and other hate crimes. This led to the formation of Partners Against Crimes of Hate (PACH). PACH is a forum of various organisations who work together to tackle the problem of hate crime in East Staffordshire, Lichfield and Tamworth. The purpose of PACH is to encourage reporting of hate crimes and provide advice and support to the victims. All criminal justice agencies and other key organisations are involved in the forum and together they provide a united front. PACH is committed to responding pro-actively to hate incidents and work towards a fairer and tolerant society.

What Should You Do?

If you are being harassed or treated differently because of your colour, nationality, religion/ ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability or gender you should report it AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to any of the reporting or referral centres listed below.

In an emergency dial 999. Try to remember as much as possible about the incident - were there any witnesses? What did those responsible look like? The police also suggest you should not clear up any evidence of the attack. With this evidence it may be possible to prosecute offenders.

How to Report an Incident

You can report any incident by contacting:

• One of the referral/ reporting centres listed below

• PACH directly on 01283 510456 or email: administration@eaststaffsrec.co.uk

• Staffordshire Police on 08453 302010

• The website www.report-it.org.uk and completing the on-line True Vision self reporting form.

It is important to report incidents even if you do not want any investigation to be undertaken. We will respect your wishes.

ACT NOW AND REPORT IT!

PACH Annual Report 08-09 (PDF 4.25MB)

PACH Annual Report 09-10 (PDF 1.49MB)

PACH Annual Report 10-11 (799.17KB)

To obtain free help and advice contact any of the following organisations. Our service is confidential and free.

Referral and Reporting Centres

Burton College
John Beaty  01283 494470 - Mobile 077789 884558
john.beaty@burton-college.ac.uk

Burton Hospitals NHS Trust
Geoff Neild  01283 511511
geoff.neild@burtonh-tr.wmids.nhs.uk

Crown Prosecution Service
Dave Bell  01782 664565
dave.bell@cps.gsi.gov.uk

East Staffordshire Borough Council
Charlotte Taylor. 01283 508504
charlotte.taylor@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk

East Staffordshire Racial Equality Council
Amir Kabal and Anne Grantham 01283 510456
administration@eaststaffsrec.co.uk

Ethnic Minority Achievement Unit
Pat Andrews 01785 278267 (Direct)
pat.andrews@staffordshire.gov.uk

Lichfield District Council
Jenni Coleman 01543 308101
jenni.coleman@lichfielddc.gov.uk

Mesmen (Homophobic Incidents)
Alan Ferrans 01543 411413 - Mobile 07779132018
alan@mesmen.co.uk

Orbit Housing Association
Simon Farnetti 0345 8 500 500
simon.farnetti@orbit.org.uk

South Staffs Primary Care Trust
John Ward 01889 571542
john.ward@southstaffspct.nhs.uk

Staffordshire County Council
Helen Riley 01785 358326
helen.riley@staffordshire.gov.uk

Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service
Dermot Hogan 01785 898597
d.hogan@staffordshirefire.gov.uk

Staffordshire Youth  Service
Val Richards 01283 239870
val.richards@staffordshire.gov.uk

Staffordshire Police
Kathleen Rennie
kathleen.rennie@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk

Staffordshire Police Trent Valley
Nigel Dorning
nigel.dorning@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk

Staffordshire Probation
Diana Lawrence 01283 564988
diana.lawrence@swm.probation.gsi.gov.uk

Staffordshire Youth Offending Service
Simon Woollett 01543 512101
Simon.woollett@staffordshire.gov.uk

Tamworth Borough Council
Dave Fern  01827 709589 - Mobile 07773792469
david-fern@tamworth.gov.uk

Trent and Dove Housing
Emma Bligh 01283 528654
emma.bligh@trentanddove.org

Victim Support
Kate Dempsey 01782 843906
kate.dempsey@victimsupport.org.uk