Racial Crime
Everyone can help protect their family and their home by taking simple crime prevention measures described in these pages. Some crimes fall into a different category. They are committed purely on racial grounds.
What is Racial Harassment?
Racial harassment is any incident where the victim or any other person (such as a witness or Police officer) believes the attacker had a racial motive.
Racial harassment includes:
- Personal attacks of any kind.
- Written/verbal threats or insults.
- Damage to property.
- Offensive graffiti.
These incidents are almost always against the law; and they can happen anywhere – at home, at work, at school, or on the street.
| If you are a victim of a racial attack or abuse, or a witness to an incident, report it immediately to the police. |
If an offence is committed and the offender is caught, the police will normally send a report to the Procurator Fiscal who will decide whether to take the suspect to court. Alternatively, you may take action in the civil courts to try to obtain damages or an order to stop the offender repeating the behaviour.
What can you do to protect your family?
At home.
If you are threatened in your home or see anything suspicious nearby – dial 999 and ask for the police. If you are a council tenant also report the incident to the local authority housing department.
Make sure your home is secure and follow the advice in the security section titled Home Security. If you feel particularly at risk, in addition to some of the advice given in the Home Security section of this web site, you can:
- Replace broken windows with shatter proof glass.
- Consider fitting a fire proof lidded container to your letterbox.
On The Street
Useful advice is provided in the Family Security guide.
If you have been attacked phone the police immediately. Any details you remember will help with the investigation of your complaint.
Remember
You can help the Police by:
- Taking the names and addresses of any witnesses.
- Try to remember exactly what the attacker looked like.
- If a car was involved try to note the colour, model, and registration number.
.At School.
Where other children in the school are involved, report the incident to the head teacher first. You can also contact your local Education Authority, and the Police.
At work.
The Race Relations Act 1976 makes it illegal to discriminate against an employee on Racial grounds
- Report any incidents at work to your Trade Union representative. You may also be able to get help from the Commission for Racial Equality.
- If your own business is the target of a racial incident then call the Police. The local Police Crime Prevention Officer can also give you general advice on how to make your premises secure.
Your Community.
If a friend or neighbour has been the victim of a racial incident, you can help by offering your support. Incidents of racial harassment harm community relations. Consider joining or setting up a local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme see Community Safety or a Residents Association. There may also be multi Agency Racial Incident Monitoring Groups in your area who can offer practical support.
HELP!
In an emergency, dial 999 and ask for the police. For general advice contact your local police Crime Prevention Officer, and Community Relations Officer at your area’s Police Headquarters. You may prefer to contact another organisation who can give advice.
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