Bridging Communities
Top ten
tips on dealing with racist incidents in your community:
Report the incident and get advice. You can go straight
to the police – dial 999 in an emergency. Or you can go to your
local CAB, law centre or race equality council. In many areas you can
also report racist incidents to your local council.
If you report a racist incident to the police make sure that
that is how it is logged. All police forces are now expected
to record an incident as racist, and to investigate it as such, if that
is how it is described by the person making the report (or by anyone
they subsequently interview). If you are assisting the victim of a racist
incident and s/he has difficulty understanding English, then request
that the police provide an interpreter. If there is likely to be any
major delay, then with the victim’s consent, you should report
the matter on his or her behalf.
Keep a note of all information that you tell the police
and of the time and date and the name and number of the officer dealing
with your case. It is advisable to report a racist incident to the police,
or to agree that one of the other agencies should do so, so that a formal
record is made.
Your harassers want you to feel isolated – don’t let them.
Talk to your friends and family about what has happened, and find
out about other sources of support – the CAB will be able
to help. In many areas there are community organisations or monitoring
groups that offer support to victims of racist incidents as well as
advocating on their behalf with the police and other agencies.
Keep a detailed record of any incidents. This can include
photos of people’s injuries and damage to property such as broken
windows or graffiti. Keep a record of any expenses you incur, for example
to repair any damage to your home.
If you are a council tenant and the racist incident occurred at or near
your home then contact your neighbourhood office and/or housing department
and discuss with them what they intend to do to protect you and your
family from further abuse or attack. Most councils’ tenancy
agreements prohibit racist behaviour by tenants or their visitors.
You should let the council know if you would like to be transferred
to other accommodation or if you desire greater protection where you
are.
If you live in a housing association property and the racist incident
occurred at or hear your home, then report the incident to your association
representative or office. Most housing associations have anti-harassment
policies similar to those of local councils.
If you live in private rented accommodation and the racist incident
occurred at or near your home then contact your landlord, the
CAB or a law centre . Some private landlords may have a procedure
for dealing with racial harassment and may be sympathetic. However,
many may not be supportive.
If you own your own home or if the racist incident occurred at your
place of work or at a community centre, religious centre or as you were
walking or driving in the area, then you should seek advice
from the CAB or a law centre and the community safety section of
the local council. There are a number of legal measures that might be
possible to protect you from further incidents.
If you find that no one is taking sufficient interest and you are worried
about further incidents affecting you and your family then you could
contact the chair of the police authority for your area, your local
councillor or MP to enlist their support.
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