Hackney stands against hate for National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2025

“Together, we can ensure that Hackney remains a place where everyone feels represented, included, and safe”. This is the message from Cllr Susan Fajana-Thomas OBE, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, as Hackney marks National Hate Crime Awareness Week (NHCAW) by reaffirming its commitment to being a borough of inclusivity and solidarity.

Our National Hate Crime Awareness Week (11-18 October) events aim to raise awareness of all forms of hate incidents and crimes, including homophobia, transphobia, racism, sexism, antisemitism, islamophobia, and other faith-based discrimination and disability discrimination.

As this year’s NHCAW theme is focusing on disability hate, Choice in Hackney, a disabled people user-led organisation who assist disabled people from all communities to obtain the services they need to live independently, will be holding an event at Marie Lloyd Centre on Thursday 16 October, 10am-2.30pm, bringing together a range of partners to provide help to those affected by hate crime.

The Council will also be holding a number of anti-hate crime pop-up stalls throughout the borough to offer advice and support:

• Monday 13 October, 9am-12pm, The Narrow Way
• Tuesday 14 October, 12-2pm, Hackney Service Centre
• Wednesday 15 October, 3.30-6pm, Manor House Tube Station
• Thursday 16 October, 4-7pm, Stamford Hill
• Friday 17 October, 11am-2pm, Homerton Hospital

“Hackney is one of the most diverse and vibrant boroughs in the country, a place where people from all backgrounds, faiths, and communities have made their home. Our strength lies in this diversity, and we are united in our shared determination to challenge prejudice and intolerance wherever it arises.

“The Council is deeply committed to our ‘No Place for Hate’ mission, and this week is a powerful reminder that we must all be vigilant and active in challenging prejudice. I want to encourage all residents to learn how to report hate crimes and to support those who have been affected. Together, we can ensure that Hackney remains a place where everyone feels represented, included, and safe.

“This year our focus is on addressing disability hate crime awareness, a multi-faceted effort that requires systemic changes, enhanced education, and improved support for victims. Given that disability hate crime is significantly under-reported, our main goal will be to  increase visibility and trust.

“As in previous years, we are using Hate Crime Awareness Week to raise public awareness of what constitutes a hate crime or hate incident and highlight the devastating impact it has on victims and communities, and encourage residents to report all incidents. We know that all forms of hate crime are significantly under-reported, and a key part of our work is to ensure that everyone feels safe and supported in coming forward.”

Cllr Susan Fajana-Thomas, OBE, Cabinet Member for Community Safety

How to report hate crime

If you have been a victim of a hate crime, you are not alone and shouldn’t suffer in silence. Hate crime can be reported to the police by calling 999 in an emergency, and 101 in other situations. 

You can also report hate crimes online via the True Vision website or to Stop Hate UK on 0800 138 1625 or at www.stophateuk.org