Report a racist incident about a Westminster City Council service
Introduction
Westminster City Council believes that everyone who lives, works or visits Westminster has the right to be treated with dignity and respect and to live without fear of discrimination or harassment. The Council is committed towards eradicating any form of racism from the services it provides. Click to see a list of
our services.
What is a racist incident?
A racist incident is ANY incident, which is perceived to be racist by the victim or ANY OTHER PERSON. An incident can still be a racist incident even though no crime has been committed.
A racist incident includes:
- Written abuse
- Verbal abuse, threats or insults
- Malicious telephone/text messages/emails/faxes
- Targeted noise nuisance
- Physical assault, damage to property or vehicles including: graffiti, vandalism or arson.
A victim of racism is a person who believes that he/she is discriminated against due to his/her:
- Nationality
- Ethnic origin
- Culture
- Language
- Skin colour
- Religion
- Other beliefs
Why is it important to report racist incidents?
The Council actively encourages anyone who is a victim of a racist incident, whilst accessing our services, to report it to us.
By reporting an incident:
- We can identify any possible discrimination or barriers to accessing our services.
- You will help us to monitor and improve our services.
- We can further investigate your report
Who can make a racist incident report?
- The victim (member of the public)
- The victim (employee of Westminster)
- A relative, friend, guardian or carer of the victim
- A neighbour of the victim
- An employer or work colleague of the victim
- A witness
- Another organisation
How do I report a racist incident?
- For immediate help, go to your local police station if you think that the racist incident amounts to a criminal offence or call 999 and ask the Operator for the police.
- If you require help in dealing with a racist incident that relates to the Council’s services, you can report it in any of the following ways (Please note)
- By post: Download a racist incident reporting form in the language of your choice (see above). You will need to print and complete the information by hand and post it, using our freepost address to:
Corporate Complaints
Policy and Performance Team
16th Floor East Wing
Westminster City Council
Freepost LON17996
London SW1E 6YT.
What will happen next?
If you do wish to have your racist incident report further investigated by the Council, we will process your request within 10 working days and a City Council officer will contact you to find out more.
However, if you do not wish to have it investigated, we will record it onto our system and use this information as part of our monitoring and improving services.
Please note
- Any personal information that you provide on this form will be treated confidentially.
- We will NOT give personal details about you to anyone, including the police or other organisations without your consent.
- In very exceptional circumstances, details of the racist incident that you report will be provided to the police or other organisations. Before doing that, we will take account not only of the seriousness of the incident, but also of the danger of recurrence. We will also have regard to any danger to you and any other witnesses or victims. You will be notified in advance in the unlikely event that any information is to be disclosed without your consent.
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