Community tensions
Community tensions are situations where relationships between individuals or groups begin to feel strained, unsettled, or at risk of conflict. They don't always involve crime or obvious incidents, but they can be early warning signs that something isn't right.
Tensions can build gradually or appear suddenly, often linked to local events, national issues, or changes within a neighbourhood. Left unaddressed, they can escalate into more serious problems, including conflict, hate incidents, or harm to individuals and communities.
Examples of community tensions
- Rumours or misinformation spreading about a particular group or incident
- A rise in anti-social behaviour linked to specific individuals or groups
- Tensions following local or national events (for example protests, international conflicts, or high-profile incidents)
- Disputes between neighbours or communities that are becoming more heated
- Low-level hate-related behaviour that hasn't been formally reported
These examples are not exhaustive. if something feels like it could lead to conflict or harm, it's worth sharing.
Why reporting matters
Sharing information helps us build a clearer picture of what's happening locally, identify patterns or emerging risks early and work with partners to prevent issues from escalating. Even small pieces of information can be valuable when combined with other reports.
What happens when you report
Reports are reviewed by the Community Safety Team, relevant teams within the council and partner agencies. Not every report will require immediate action, but all information helps inform our understanding and response.
You can choose to report anonymously.
Is this the right way to report your concerns?
This form is for sharing information about emerging community tensions or concerns that may affect relations between people or groups.
If you concern relates to one of the following, you may be better of using a different reporting route:
- Immediate danger or a crime in progress: Call 999.
- Non-emergency crime or anti-social behaviour: Report via your local police on 101 or via our ASB page.
- Hate crime or hate incidents: If someone has been targeted because of who they are (i.e. their race or ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity), you can report this via our Hate Crime page.
- Concerns about radicalisation or extremism: You can report concerns via our Prevent page
If you are unsure, you can still use this form and we will ensure the information is shared with the appropriate team.