Hate crime

The law recognises five types of hate crime on the basis of race, religion, disability, sexual orientation and transgender identity. Any crime can be prosecuted as a hate crime if the offender has demonstrated hostility or been motivated by hostility based on race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity.

In Knowsley partners work hard to raise awareness what hate crime is, prevent incidents from happening in the first place, but also empower victims of hate crime to come forward, either as an individual or a community.

You can report hate crime online or call 101. If you’d prefer to speak to a police officer in person, visit a police station. Merseyside Police can provide a safe and comfortable environment at any of their police stations.

Alternatively, if you don’t feel comfortable reporting it to the police you can report it to Stop Hate UK 0800 138 1625.

Residents also have the option to report any incident of hate crime at a Safe Haven, located at community fire stations across Merseyside, including Knowsley:-

• Kirkby Community Fire Station, 20 Webster-Drive, Liverpool L32 8SJ
• Prescot Community Fire & Police Station, Cables Way, Prescot L34 1QG

Safe Havens are available to residents at any time there are officers on site. If the fire station is closed and you need immediate assistance, all fire stations have yellow phone boxes outside the building that will connect you to the Emergency Response Control Room.