Derby City Council has launched a new city-wide campaign to send a clear and united message that abuse, harassment, bullying and hate have no place in Derby.

The No Place for Hate campaign was launched on Thursday 18 December at Derby Market Hall, with dozens of partners from across the city coming together to publicly reject hate and stand for dignity, fairness and respect.

As part of the launch, partners signed a No Place for Hate pledge, committing to take practical and visible actions to challenge hate and support inclusion. These actions include working in partnership with Derby City Council to promote respect, reviewing internal policies, providing staff training on responding to hate crime and harassment, and making public commitments to zero tolerance.

The campaign follows a rise in abusive, threatening and aggressive language, including online abuse directed at communities, colleagues and councillors. In September 2025, Derby City Council resolved to tackle and condemn abuse and hate in all its forms, including racist and misogynistic abuse, homophobic and transphobic language, religious-based hate, and hate directed at disabled people. The No Place for Hate campaign has been developed as a key part of that commitment.

The campaign reaffirms the city’s zero-tolerance approach, while promoting understanding, empathy and respect. It will also encourage victims to report hate crime and hate incidents, signposting them to specialist support through Stop Hate UK. By taking a unified approach, the campaign aims to strengthen partnership working and build a safer, more cohesive city.

Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council and Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, said:

I’m proud that the No Place for Hate campaign has now launched in Derby. Our core mission is to establish a united front where everyone comes together to say that hate, discrimination, bullying and harassment will not be tolerated in our great city.

Sadly, the abuse we’re seeing is not unique to Derby. That’s why we’re taking practical steps to ensure that everyone can live, work and study in a city that chooses dignity and respect over division. Together, we can send a strong message that Derby is No Place for Hate, and I urge organisations and businesses across the city to join us.

Organisations across Derby are encouraged to take part in the campaign by signing the No Place for Hate pledge, displaying campaign materials and committing to actions that promote respect and inclusion in their workplaces and communities. To get involved, organisations can email the Community Safety team.

For information on hate crime or how to report it, visit Stop Hate UK, which provides free, confidential support for anyone affected by hate.

In Derby, there is no place for abuse. No room for hate. Only space for dignity, fairness and respect.