Calico Homes sets up hate crime reporting service in Burnley

Burnley-based housing association Calico Homes has set up a third-party reporting centre for hate crimes, giving people the option to report incidents without having to go directly to the police.

Neighbourhood Management and Community Safety Teams at the 5,000-home housing association have received specialist training from Lancashire Police on how to support people who have experienced or witnessed a hate crime.

As the operator of a third-party reporting centre, Calico Homes can submit reports to the police on behalf of anyone affected by hate crime, with the option for these reports to remain anonymous.

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The third-party reporting centre aims to help break down any barriers that people may face when reporting hate crimes.

The Regulator of Social Housing’s new consumer standards, which came into effect on 1 April, established a requirement within the Neighbourhood and Community Standard for registered providers to work with other agencies on issues related to antisocial behaviour, hate crimes, and domestic abuse.

This year, Calico Homes said it has resolved five cases of hate crime. With many hate crimes going unreported, Calico Homes is also encouraging people to come forward and report any incidents.

On its website, Calico Home says that support it offers includes providing advice and “potentially taking steps against the person causing you harm”. 

It says support can involve removing hate graffiti, repairing broken windows, doors and fences, working together with other partner agencies, contacting the police and victim support units, putting people in touch with local groups and arranging mediation or an interpreter.

Police launched an investigation into hate crimes after gravestones in the Muslim section of Burnley cemtery were vandalised in August, amid the widespread disorder in August.

Dawn Cardwell, head of neighbourhoods at Calico Homes said: “By becoming a third-party reporting centre for hate crime in Burnley we wanted to support the wider community in making neighbourhoods across Burnley a safer place.

“As an organisation, we are committed to making sure everyone is treated equally and setting an example by acting against people who discriminate and making our communities a safe place to live.

Cardwell said that despite Calico Homes having resolved five cases of hate crime this year, “we know that there is still work to do, as we recognise that cases going unreported. To ensure we can help as many people as possible, we encourage anyone facing hate crime to report any incidents.”