07/10/2025 - Permalink

Shropshire stands firm against religious hatred

Related topics: Corporate

Members of the South Shropshire Interfaith Forum and the Shrewsbury Interfaith Forum have come together with Shropshire Council to make the following joint statement, after the attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester on Thursday 2 October 2025, and the arson attack at the Peacehaven Mosque in East Sussex.

They said:

“We are shocked and saddened at the deadly attack on Jewish worshippers in Manchester. This, together with recent attacks on people of Sikh faith in nearby Wolverhampton, and the increased need for security at places of worship such as gurdwaras and mosques as well as at synagogues across the country, are signs to us that it has never been more important to foster good relations between people of all faiths and people of none.  The arson attack on the Peacehaven mosque over the weekend is a further sign that we need to act now in showing mutual kindness and respect across communities.

“People of faith should feel safe in their places of worship and in their observations and commemorations of their faiths. They should be able to go about their daily lives without the fear that others are defining them by their religion or by their colour, or by what they are wearing in accordance with their faith. As representatives of diverse religions, and as a local council representing our diverse communities, we now call upon people in Shropshire to stand with us in respect for the beliefs of others.

“We urge anyone witnessing or experiencing religious hatred, just as they would do in witnessing or experiencing racial hatred, to report this to the police immediately. We will ourselves continue to challenge misinformation, to foster good relations through our own example and that of others, and to celebrate the range of faiths in Shropshire and the contributions that everyone brings. Everyone belongs here.”

Reporting a hate crime

In Shropshire, agencies and organisations tackle hate crime and hate incidents through partnership working. People can report hate incidents either by directly contacting the police or by completing the reporting form. This is part of a countywide approach that supports third party reporting. This is when a victim of a hate crime or hate incident, or a witness to one, prefers not to report it directly to the police, but still wants action to be taken and reports it to a non-police organisation.

Any information gathered from these reports helps agencies and organisations establish whether there are spikes in hate incidents and crimes or whether specific groups or areas are suffering from more incidents than others. Even if there’s no requirement for the incident to be investigated it allows agencies and organisations to assess the number of incidents that are occurring and where.

Report to police

  • Does it feel like the situation could get heated or violent very soon? Is someone in immediate danger? Do you need support right away? If so, please call 999 in an emergency.
  • Report online – True Vision is a national police scheme to help victims report hate crime online
  • Emergency SMS text message
  • Call 101 (non-emergency police number).
  • Visit a local police station. 

Don’t wish to report directly to the police?

Have you been the victim of a hate crime or hate incident, or a witness to one, and prefer not to report it directly to the police but still want action to be taken? You can email the Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership at sscpbusinessunit@shropshire.gov.uk.

Any information gathered from these reports helps agencies and organisations establish whether there are spikes in hate incidents and crimes, or whether specific groups or areas are suffering from more incidents than others.

The charities, groups and organisations below can offer support, advice and ways to report the incident without having to talk directly to the police:

  • Crimestoppers – a national charity with a free helpline for reporting crime anonymously.
  • Tell MAMA – a national project supporting victims of anti-Muslim hate and monitoring anti-Muslim incidents.
  • Community Security Trust (CST) – a charity protecting British Jews from antisemitism and related threats.
  • Galop – a national charity providing advice and support to members of the LGBT community.
  • Stop Hate UK – a leading national organisation working to challenge all forms of hate crime and discrimination.
  • West Mercia Victim Advice Line – free, confidential, emotional and practical support. Call 0800 952 3000 between Monday and Friday, 8am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 5pm.
  • Safety Net – prevents the exploitation of people with learning disabilities by those claiming to be their friends.
  • Scope – ensuring disabled people have the same opportunities as everyone else.
  • Stonewall – providing support to all lesbian, gay, bi and trans people. 

Hearing impaired?

Visit the emergencySMS website to find out how you can report emergencies by text (this option is only recommended if you have no other way to report).