LonGBoaT Wakefield: Your Local Hate Crime Reporting Centre

LonGBoaT Wakefield is proud to announce that we are now a designated Hate Crime Reporting Centre (HCRC), in partnership with West Yorkshire Police. This initiative reinforces our commitment to providing a safe, inclusive space for the LGBTQ+ community and beyond, where individuals can report hate crimes and incidents in confidence.

What is a Hate Crime Reporting Centre (HCRC)?

Hate Crime Reporting Centres are community-based locations where people can report hate crimes or hate incidents. They offer a safe and supportive environment, ensuring that individuals feel heard and empowered to take action. At LonGBoaT Wakefield, we provide guidance and help connect individuals with the appropriate resources, including law enforcement and victim support services.

Hate crimes are defined as any criminal offence perceived by the victim or any other person as being motivated by hostility or prejudice towards a person’s:

• Sexual orientation

• Gender identity

• Race or ethnicity

• Religion or belief

• Disability

For more detailed information on what constitutes a hate crime or hate incident, visit the West Yorkshire Police Hate Crime Information Page.

What To Do in an Emergency

While HCRCs provide a valuable resource for reporting incidents, always dial 999 in an emergency. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, or if a crime is happening, contacting emergency services is the fastest way to get help.

For non-emergency situations, you can contact West Yorkshire Police at 101 or visit a Hate Crime Reporting Centre like LonGBoaT Wakefield for support.

Additional Ways to Report Hate Crimes

If you are unable to report an incident in person or over the phone, there are other ways to seek help:

• Use the online reporting service via True Vision: www.report-it.org.uk

• Call the Stop Hate UK 24-Hour Helpline: 0800 138 1625 (check area coverage via their website)

• Use the Stop Hate UK Hate Crime Reporting App

• Call the Stop Hate UK 'Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender' 24-Hour Helpline: 0808 801 0661

• Call the Stop Hate UK 'Stop Learning Disability Hate Crime' 24-Hour Helpline: 0808 802 1155

• Call the Gypsy and Traveller Hate Crime Leeds GATE service Helpline: 0113 240 2444

• Report anti-Muslim hate incidents via Tell MAMA: http://tellmamauk.org/submit-a-report-to-us/

• Report anti-Semitic hate incidents via the Community Security Trust (CST): https://cst.org.uk/antisemitism/report-antisemitism

The Role of LonGBoaT Wakefield

As an HCRC, we aim to:

• Provide a safe and welcoming space for LGBTQ+ individuals affected by hate crimes or incidents.

• Offer information and guidance on how to report incidents.

• Signpost individuals to relevant support services and resources tailored to the LGBT+ community.

Materials and resources about hate crime awareness are available at our Hub during regular coffee mornings

If you’d like to learn more, visit us or explore Wakefield Council’s Hate Crime Page for additional information.

Standing Together Against Hate

Hate crimes can have a profound impact on individuals and communities, especially those in the LGBT+ community who may already face discrimination or prejudice. By working with West Yorkshire Police and Wakefield Council, LonGBoaT Wakefield is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels safe, valued, and supported. If you or someone you know has experienced a hate crime or incident, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Together, we can stand against hate and build a stronger, more inclusive Wakefield that celebrates diversity.