Staying Safe in the Community

What Is Mate Crime?

Mate crime is a form of hate crime, and it’s serious. It happens when someone pretends to be your friend but actually hurts you, uses you, or takes advantage of you. These people are often called “fake friends.”

Mate crime can take many forms, including:

• Financial abuse – asking for money but never paying it back.
• Cuckooing – taking over your home without your permission.
• Physical harm – hitting or hurting you.
• Emotional abuse – bullying, manipulating, or making you feel worthless.
• Sexual abuse – touching you in ways you don’t want or making you do sexual things.

Often, more than one type of abuse happens at the same time.

Who Is Most at Risk?

People with a learning disability are more likely to experience mate crime. This may be because they didn’t get the same chances to learn how to spot bad behaviour or feel unsure about what a real friendship looks like. Fake friends can be clever and sneaky, and that’s why it’s important to know the signs.

Signs of Mate Crime

Watch out for:

• A sudden loss of money or unpaid bills.
• Gaining expensive gifts or extra cash with no clear reason.
• Changes in daily routines, personal appearance, or mood.
• New people suddenly visiting your home or staying over.
• Pulling away from trusted friends, family, or activities.
• Secretive behaviour online or on your phone.

What Is Hate Crime?

Hate crime happens when someone targets you because of who you are—like your learning disability, your race, or your sexuality. If someone bullies you, calls you names, threatens or hurts you because of any of these things, that is a hate crime, and it’s a criminal offence.

No one has the right to make you feel scared or small because of who you are.

How to Report a Crime

You can report hate crime or mate crime by:

• Calling your local police.
• Reporting it online or through an easy-read form.
• Asking a support worker, parent, carer or trusted person to help you report it.
• Getting help from Citizens Advice, Stop Hate UK, Childline, or NSPCC.

You are not alone. Speaking up is the first step to stopping the abuse.

Six Helpful Tips When Talking to the Police

1. Ask someone you trust to go with you.
2. Let the officer know you have a learning disability—ask for simple language.
3. Request easy-read materials.
4. If something isn’t clear, ask them to explain.
5. Make sure your report is taken seriously—say you think it’s a hate or mate crime.
6. If you’re not being taken seriously, get an advocate involved.

Tips for Staying Safe in Public

Being prepared and aware helps you feel more confident when you’re out and about. Try these tips:

• Tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
• Keep valuables at home or securely packed.
• Plan your journey in advance—know your route.
• Stick to busy, well-lit areas.
• If something feels wrong, walk into a safe place like a shop or café and ask for help.
• Don’t react to name-calling—walk calmly and quickly to safety.
• If someone does something illegal, report it right away. Try to remember what they looked like, what happened, and where it happened.
• If your wallet or purse is stolen, call your bank to cancel your cards immediately.