Sandwell Council Hate Crime Pledge

Chief Executive Shokat Lal and Leader Councillor Kerrie Carmichael holding the Hate Crime Community Charter in Oldbury Library

Sandwell Council signed a new Hate Crime Community Charter in October 2023 as part of Hate Crime Awareness Week.

The Charter says:

Hate crime can have devastating effects on victims, their loved ones and entire communities.

It is unacceptable. Sandwell Council has a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime and, together with our partners, we are committed to tackling and erdicating this from our borough. 

We pledge to:

  • Be robust in tackling any form of hatred or hostility towards anyone because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. 
  • Increase our knowledge of hate crime and raise awareness.
  • Work with communities in Sandwell promoting respect and care for each other.
  • Support victims of hate crime and demonstrate empathy.
  • Take all reports of hate crime encountered in the workplace or in an educational setting seriously and escalate to the relevant partners.
  • Be proactive in eradiating hate crime within our communities by encouraging and supporting the reporting of hate crimes to the Police or Hate Crime Third Party Reporting Centres who can then take the appropriate action.
  • Collaborate with partners to provide a multi-agency response to hate crime.

Advice on reporting hate crime