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Hate crime

We will not tolerate discrimination, bullying, harassment, victimisation or unacceptable behaviour by or towards anyone based on age, disability, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic outlined in the Equality Act 2010.

Lifestone has adopted the definition of hate crime used by the Home Office, which is “any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards someone based on a personal characteristic”.

Hate crime can include, but is not limited to: using racial slurs or insults, using sexist language, physical threats or violence, or graffiti that includes bad language or images.

What you can do

Your priority must be the safety of you and your family. Please do not put yourself in harm’s way.

Use the ASB App to record sounds, and take photos and/or videos of the incident if it’s safe.

Use the ASB App to create a log of the incidents you are experiencing.

If you are unable to access the ASB App, you can request ASB Incident Log Sheets from us by emailing ContactUs@lifestone.co.uk or calling 0300 303 1010.

Report any hate incidents to the police immediately (in addition to logging it with us).

Provide us with the references from any reports made to the police.

Support legal actions by providing witness evidence and attending court to give evidence.

Retain any physical evidence such as written notes, ripped clothing, or paint smeared on walls, until the police have been able to investigate it as a crime scene.

What we can do

Work with the police and support them to investigate the allegations.
Carry out our own investigation into the allegations only where this will not cut across or impede any police investigation.
Take tenancy enforcement action that can include applying to court for an injunction or seeking possession.
Where a person is successfully prosecuted for a hate crime, Lifestone may be able to seek a mandatory possession order against the person if they are our tenant.
Offer help and support to the victims of any hate crime incidents, including making any appropriate safeguarding referrals.
Consider installing measures to make the home of the victim safer.
Work with the police to use community remedies.
In extreme cases where there is a high risk, we can provide temporary accommodation.

What other agencies can do

The police are able to arrest, charge and prosecute people alleged to have committed hate crime incidents
The police and other agencies can share the information and evidence they collect during their investigations so that we can take tenancy enforcement action, but sometimes this cannot happen until after the perpetrator has been prosecuted
The police have the power to seize evidence and cordon off crime scenes. They may ask you to provide information and evidence to support their investigation
The police are able to use other legal remedies aside from prosecution to help deter further hate crime incidents from taking place. For example, they can impose dispersal orders or use Community Protection Notices.

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