Stronger Together for Hate Crime Awareness Week

This Hate Crime Awareness Week, we’re celebrating a partnership that helps people feel heard, supported and safer. 

Northumbria Police, the ONE Centre and our Hate Crime Advocacy Service are working together to offer a welcoming route to information, reporting and independent support.

This all comes together at our monthly hate crime drop-in at the ONE Centre in Gateshead, where you can speak with Northumbria Police’s Community Engagement Team and a Connected Voice Independent Advocate (myself or Hazel) in a safe, friendly setting. Come along on the third Monday of each month, from 10:00 - 13:00 - no appointment is needed, just turn up. 

Hate crime can leave people feeling isolated, overwhelmed and unsure where to turn. By bringing policing, community support and independent advocacy together, this partnership makes it easier to ask questions, explore options and get the right help.

Each partner has a clear role:

☑️ Northumbria Police can explain reporting options and take reports. 

☑️ The ONE Centre, run by OUT North East, provides a welcoming, safe, community space. 

☑️ Our independent advocates can help people across Northumberland and Tyne and Wear understand hate crime, think about safety, communicate with services and navigate the criminal justice process - whether or not they choose to report.

This Hate Crime Awareness Week we offer a pledge: people affected by hate crime will be listened to, treated with respect and supported to make their own choices. No one should have to face hate crime alone.

If you have experienced or witnessed a hate crime, support is here. Visit the drop-in at the ONE Centre, contact Connected Voice’s Hate Crime Advocacy Service, or report directly to Northumbria Police. The choice is yours. 

If a crime is happening now or someone is in immediate danger, always call 999.