Greenwich Residents Share Devastating Impact of Hate Crime
New video highlights experiences of racial abuse and intimidation, with council support services offering a lifeline.
By Priya Shah
••4 min read
AI
Generic image of a diverse group of people standing together on a London street, with blurred red buses and black cabs in the background.
During National Hate Crime Awareness Week, Greenwich residents Andy and Mia share their personal stories of enduring hate crime, detailing the devastating impact and the support received from the council's Hate Crime Advocacy Service.
This National Hate Crime Awareness Week, two residents have bravely shared their experiences of hate crime and its devastating impact in a new video. The film features the stories of Andy and Mia, who have both been targeted by neighbours due to their race.
Andy endured 20 years of abuse from a neighbour, which included racial slurs, damage to his property, and tragically, the poisoning of his dog. Mia, who lives with her young son who has special educational needs, faced hostility and intimidation from her neighbours, including being followed, verbally abused, and having her privacy and family life regularly disrupted.
Following reports to the police, both Andy and Mia received support through the council’s Hate Crime Advocacy Service. This service assisted them with their cases and the necessary procedures. Andy’s case is ongoing, while Mia’s perpetrators have since been evicted.
The article notes that many cases of hate crime begin as neighbour disputes. Over time, tensions can escalate, leading to prejudicial language and unfair targeting of individuals. What starts as verbal abuse can develop into harassment, causing victims distress, intimidation, or threats. Victims often feel isolated, unsafe, and unwelcome in their own communities, leading them to question their lifestyles and identities.
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"Tackling hate crime is a community safety priority here in Greenwich. We want every resident to know that they do not have to suffer in silence and that support is available. If we do not challenge hate crime wherever it occurs, it risks dividing communities, deepening inequalities and causing lasting harm to individuals and families. That is why as part of this year’s National Hate Crime Awareness Week, we are shining a light on the support available to people who experience hate crime."
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"Through our dedicated Hate Crime Advocacy Service and wider partnership work, we help ensure that victims are supported, their voices are heard, and their lived experiences help shape the services and responses we provide. Together, we can build a borough where everyone feels safe, valued and respected."
In the past year, there were 792 reported hate crimes in Royal Greenwich. This included 685 cases relating to race and religion, and 98 relating to sexual orientation, with the article acknowledging these are only the reported cases.
The effects of hate crime, regardless of whether it is driven by race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or transgender identity, can be felt long after the incident itself. The council operates a multi-agency panel that meets regularly to discuss hate crime cases and high-risk anti-social behaviour, coordinating support and improving information sharing.
Additionally, the council actively engages in ‘tension monitoring’ to gather information about incidents and behaviours that may indicate rising tensions. This proactive approach aims to help the council, housing providers, police, schools, and community organisations take action before issues escalate.
Residents are encouraged to report hate crimes to the police by calling 999 in an emergency and 101 in non-urgent situations. Alternatively, incidents can be reported to the council via email at community-safety@royalgreenwich.gov.uk or by calling Stop Hate UK’s 24-hour helpline on 0800 138 1625.
Throughout National Hate Crime Awareness Week, officers will be available at various locations to offer advice on hate crime and local support services. These include the Eltham Centre Library on Monday 12 October, the Woolwich Centre on Thursday 15 October, The Greenwich Centre on Friday 16 October, and Woolwich Waves on Saturday 17 October, all between 10am and 2pm.
Names have been changed to protect the privacy and safety of individuals.
