Tower Hamlets Council is set to enhance its approach to tackling hate crime with a new action plan designed to improve reporting and support for victims. The plan specifically aims to support and encourage reporting from groups and individuals who may not feel confident or comfortable reporting through 'normal' channels.

The Hate Crime Reporting Action Plan was a key topic at the Tower Hamlets Council Cabinet meeting on 26 November 2025. The plan aims to address recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to improve the reporting process for victims of hate crime. The Hate Crime Reporting Journey Response to OSC Scrutiny Challenge Session and Action Plan outlines how the council will tackle these issues.

Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, highlighted the importance of the plan in a borough known for its diversity. The plan focuses on improving the reporting process, strengthening community engagement, enhancing training and support, improving data sharing, and providing enhanced support for vulnerable communities. To address potential language barriers, the plan includes expanding the 'No Place for Hate' campaign with multilingual, culturally appropriate materials.

The action plan addresses 16 recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, including:

  • Increasing third-party reporting centres in community hubs.
  • Developing a neutral and accessible app for hate crime reporting.
  • Ensuring all council staff, particularly housing officers, are trained to recognise and refer hate crime incidents. The Council shall co-ordinate with the Police and provide annual hate crime training for councillors, schoolteachers and frontline staff and include how councillors can support residents on reporting hate crime.
  • Improving follow-up and aftercare for victims.
  • Expanding the council's 'No Place for Hate' campaign.
  • Promoting the 'Ask for Angela' scheme for licensed venues.
  • Increasing the visibility of the Hate Incident Panel and the Tension Monitoring Group.
  • Improving communication between the council, police, and residents.
  • Providing annual hate crime training for councillors, schoolteachers, and frontline staff.
  • Offering ongoing safety and risk assessment support for councillors facing threats or abuse.
  • Ensuring hate crime data is shared with Safer Neighbourhood Panels and ward councillors.
  • Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of hate crime interventions.
  • Monitoring the outcomes of police investigations and sharing anonymised case studies.
  • Tackling underreporting among women, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and migrants.
  • Educating young people about hate crime and online safety.
  • Ensuring that victims with no recourse to public funds receive appropriate support.

Simon Smith, Head of Public Protection, noted that the action plan aims to enable third-party reporting and provide residents with the ability to engage in an anonymous setting. He said this would give them encouragement and confidence to report crime.

Deputy Mayor, Councillor Maium Talukdar, welcomed the report and emphasised the importance of accessibility and action when reporting hate crime. He also noted the online abuse and racism faced by politicians, including Mayor Lutfur Rahman, and the need to address such behaviour.

Chief Executive Steve Halsey commended the lead member, officers, and scrutiny committee for their work. He also asked about the additionality of the plan, to which Smith responded that it would enable third-party reporting and provide residents with the ability to engage anonymously.

The plan was approved by the cabinet, with members emphasising the importance of community cohesion and combating hate in all forms.