New hate crime campaign launched

Hate Ends Here, which also covers Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees and Redcar and Cleveland, has been launched by the Cleveland Strategic Hate Crime Partnership to raise public awareness of hate crime, how to report it and how to access support.

It coincides with National Hate Crime Awareness Week which runs until Saturday, 18th October.

Hate crime is any criminal offence perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on someone’s race/ethnicity/nationality, gender, gender identity, religion/faith/belief, sexual orientation or disability.

Figures show that there has been a steady year-on-year rise in reported hate crime across the Cleveland area, from 359 in 2012/13 to 1,562 incidents in 2022/23. There was a further 11% increase during 2024/25.

The campaign has three key messages aimed at victims, perpetrators and witnesses:

• Recognise - help people to understand what hate crime is.
• Report – highlight the various ways to report hate crime and hate-related incidents.
• Recover – signpost victims and witnesses to appropriate support services.

The multi-agency Hartlepool Community Safety Team is backing the campaign and spearheading the local drive to tackle hate crime and hate-related incidents.

The team, based in Hartlepool Police Station, brings together staff from Hartlepool Borough Council, Cleveland Police and Cleveland Fire Brigade to provide a co-ordinated response to crime and community safety issues.

Councillor Karen Oliver, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Neighbourhood Services Committee, said: “Hate crime has absolutely no place in Hartlepool and we want to make it clear that it will not be tolerated in any of its forms.

“It is important that victims do not suffer in silence but come forward and report incidents as soon as possible. This will ensure that timely action can be taken, and they receive the support they need.”

Cleveland PCC Matt Storey, who chairs the Cleveland Strategic Hate Crime Partnership, said: “Committing a hate crime in any form is appalling and goes against the shared values held by members of the partnership.

“Hate Ends Here is a powerful campaign that not only reminds victims to not suffer in silence, but also serves to teach the public about the importance of tolerance, acceptance and understanding.”

Hate crime can be reported to the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency and online at www.cleveland.police.uk/ro/report/hate-crime/information/v1/hate-crime/how-to-report-hate-crime, by downloading the COPA app to your phone, anonymously to CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111 or via the organisation’s website or at a network of third party reporting centres across the Borough of Hartlepool where people can drop in at any time to receive help, advice and support from specially trained staff.

As part of Hate Crime Awareness Week 2025, a drop-in session open to all will take place at Hartlepool Borough Council’s Community Hub Central in York Road on Wednesday 15th October from 10am-2pm.

Community Hub Central is one of the third party reporting centres where victims can report hate crime and get help.

The full list of reporting centres is:

• The Hartlepool Community Safety Team: Hartlepool Police Station, Avenue Road TS24 8BB. Tel: (01429) 523100.
• Hartlepool Borough Council: Civic Centre, Victoria Road TS24 8AY. Tel: (01429) 266522.
• Community Hub Central: 124 York Road TS26 9DE.
• Salaam Community Centre: St Paul’s Hall, Murray Street TS26 8PD.Tel: 07949 837227.
• Citizens Advice Bureau: 87 Park Road TS26 9HP. Tel: (01429) 408401.
• Hartlepool United FC: The Prestige Group Stadium, Clarence Road TS24 8BZ. Tel: (01429) 272584.
• The Centre for Independent Living: Havelock Street TS24 7NY. Tel: (01429) 401700. Textphone: (01429) 284130.
• West View Advice and Resource Centre, Miers Avenue TS24 9HH. Tel: (01429) 231032.
• Community Hub South: Wynyard Road TS25 3LQ. Tel: (01429) 272631.
• Seaton Carew Community Hub: Station Lane TS25 1BN. Tel: (01429) 269808.

The Victim Care and Advice service also provides free, confidential support to help victims move forward positively following an incident. It can be contacted by telephoning 0303 040 1099 or by emailing info@vcas.uk