For this week's Big Q&A, we spoke to Thurrock’s new Hate Crime Ambassador, NAGUIB NUTHOO, who works as Community Connector at Thurrock Connect.

Mr Nuthoo gave his views on the changing population of the borough and how it has affected hate crime offences.

WHY DOES THURROCK NEED A HATE CRIME AMBASSADOR?

There’s been a massive change in the demographic here in Thurrock, especially in the last five years – a dramatic change. A lot of people have been moving from East London boroughs as the rents go up. One side is seeing sudden change and they do react to it by making their opinions felt and that creates tension.

WE HAVE HEARD REPORTS OF INCIDENTS OF RACE CRIME INCREASING SINCE THE ELECTION, ESPECIALLY IN TILBURY. IS THIS SOMETHING YOU’VE NOTICED?

Yes, hate crime has been on the increase, although things were better at this election than the last election. I think Tilbury is an area that has had stress due to the changing demographic.

ARE THERE PARTICULAR TIMES OF YEAR WHEN YOU SEE SPIKES IN HATE CRIME?

The election is always a bit of an emotional time for people. For example, at the previous election we had a spike in hate crime, and we usually see a spike in the summer months. This year we have seen some improvements though in race-related hate crime.

WHO IS THE TYPICAL VICTIM OF A HATE CRIME?

The majority of crimes I see reported are against white people and the elderly. There are racially-motivated hate crimes, but a lot of hatred to the elderly as well. We work with a wide variety of people: disabled people, blind people and sexuality issues. It’s important to recognise it’s not just hate crime that’s recognised by police – it’s also disabled crime, sexualityrelated crime – even Goths have experienced abuse.

WHAT KIND OF THING DO PEOPLE DO AS ACTS OF HATE CRIME?

People shout abuse in the street, they might throw rubbish at a neighbour’s door, anti-social behaviour generally. Sometimes, we have more serious cases.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE AS HATE CRIME AMBASSADOR?

Engaging with local communities and rebuilding community spirit that has been lost now there is more of a changing demographic in Thurrock. Before you would know your neighbours in Thurrock. Now, we have people who come here in transit. Before you had a sense of belonging and now people come here just for six months.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO START WORKING IN HATE CRIME IN THURROCK?

I’ve lived here for 30 years, so this is my community. I have also been a community worker, for the voluntary organisation Trust BME. I don’t see any one group, we are open to them all.

HOW DO YOU FIX HATE CRIME?

There are a lot of projects going on to try to build community spirit, including youth community sports and disabled travel buses.

Our main focus is to get the people to get back to the community support that used to be here and isn’t any more, since there became more of a changing demographic in Thurrock.

! TheHate Incident Reporting Centres are at the Beehive,West Street, Grays; Marisco Hall, in Chadwell St Mary; and Crown Court, Newton Road, Tilbury.