The London Borough of Bexley is marking National Hate Crime Awareness Week, from 11 to 17 October 2026, by raising awareness of hate crime, how to report it and where victims and witnesses can find support.
Hate crime can have a devastating impact on victims and communities. It is never acceptable and everyone has a part to play in challenging prejudice and reporting crime when it happens. This is how we can keep Bexley a safe and welcoming Borough for all.
Councillor David Leaf, Leader of the Council, said:
National Hate Crime Awareness Week is an important opportunity for us to stand together and send a clear message that hate has no place in our great Borough of Bexley.
We are proud of our diverse community and remain committed to working with residents, the police and our partners to challenge prejudice, support victims and ensure everyone feels safe, respected and welcome. In Bexley, we believe strongly in the importance of bringing communities together, learning from each other and creating an environment where difference does not lead to division. With so much division and conflict affecting our society, we will keep our focus on celebrating what we have in common, respecting freedom of expression, belief and faith and challenge those who spread hatred and undermine our values.
I encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses hate crime to report it or seek support. Together, we can stand against hate and keep Bexley a great place to live, work and raise a family."
During the week, the London Borough of Bexley is hosting a Hate Crime Conference on Tuesday 13 October, from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm, at the Learning and Enterprise College. Residents, community groups and partners are invited to share their ideas on how we can work together to build a stronger, safer community.
Those who cannot attend can still support the campaign by spreading the word or signing up for one of Bexley’s Active Bystander Sessions to learn how to safely challenge hate.
Anyone who experiences or witnesses a hate incident or hate crime is encouraged to report it to the police. Reports can also be made by visiting the Victim Support webpage and the CATCH webpage.
Find out more about hate crime, reporting options and support