Reporting hate crime in Blackpool

Blackpool's Rainbow Quarter is one of the most welcoming places in the North for LGBTQ+ people, and the town has invested heavily in keeping it that way. But homophobic, biphobic and transphobic abuse still happens, on the street, online, at work or at home. If it happens to you, it's not your fault, it's not "just banter", and you don't have to put up with it. Reporting helps the police and the council see where problems are and put resources in the right places.

What is a hate crime?

• A hate crime is any criminal offence that the victim, or anyone else, believes was motivated by hostility or prejudice towards someone's sexual orientation, transgender identity, disability, race or religion. It can include assault, criminal damage, threats, harassment and stalking.
• A hate incident is something hostile that may not be a crime, such as name-calling, offensive gestures or nasty messages. You can, and should, still report it.
• Online abuse counts too: threatening messages, targeted harassment and abusive posts.

It's the victim's perception that matters. You don't need proof of what the person was thinking.

How to report

In an emergency

If you're in danger or a crime is happening now, call 999. If you can't speak, call 999, stay on the line and press 55 when prompted.

To the police directly

• Call 101, the non-emergency number.
• Report online through Lancashire Police's website.
• Use the national police hate crime reporting site, which can pass your report to Lancashire Police. You can describe what happened even if you don't want police action.

Through a third-party reporting centre

If you'd rather not go to the police yourself, you can go to a third-party reporting centre. Trained staff will listen, help you fill in a report and send it on, and you can choose to stay anonymous. In Blackpool these include:

• The county LGBTQ+ charity: call 07788 295521 or email hello@lancslgbt.org.uk.
• The youth and community organisation on Central Drive (296 Central Drive, FY1 5JW), which runs the town's LGBT youth groups: 01253 344398.
• Liberty Church, the LGBTQ+ inclusive church in North Shore, through the contact details on its website.
• Blackpool Transport at its Rigby Road depot: 01253 473001, helpful if something happened on a bus or tram.

What to note down

As soon as you can, write down:

• the date, time and exact location
• what was said or done, word for word if possible
• descriptions of the people involved and any vehicles
• names or descriptions of witnesses
• whether there was CCTV nearby: the Rainbow Quarter has cameras, including on Lord Street

Keep screenshots of online abuse, including the profile name and link, before blocking or reporting the account.

Support after a hate crime

• Galop, the national LGBT+ anti-abuse charity, runs a hate crime helpline on 020 7704 2040 (weekdays) and by email at HateCrime@galop.org.uk. It can support you whether or not you report to police.
• Victim Support in Lancashire offers free, confidential help to anyone affected by crime: 0808 168 9111.
• Free LGBTQ+ counselling is available through the county LGBTQ+ charity. See our mental health page.

How Blackpool is keeping the quarter safe

The council's Rainbow Quarter plan puts safety front and centre. So far it has brought:

• more than 30 new lighting columns and rainbow lighting on key streets
• new CCTV on Lord Street, with more planned for main routes
• support for Street Angels-style night-time volunteers, an extended Pub Watch area and a planned night-time safe space
• promotion of Ask for Angela, where you can ask bar staff for "Angela" if you feel unsafe and they'll help discreetly
• bystander training for licensed venues, a safer taxi scheme and extra police patrols at night
• public-access defibrillators outside venues on Lord Street and Dickson Road, funded by the community

Staying safe on a night out

• Stick to the well-lit main streets of the quarter late at night and walk back with friends.
• Use licensed taxis from the ranks or the tram.
• Look out for each other. If you see someone being harassed and it's safe to step in, a simple "Are you OK?" can make all the difference.
• Ask venue staff for help: many Rainbow Quarter bars are part of the safety schemes above.

Contact details can change, so check before you go.