Hate Crime

In simple terms this could be an act that is motivated by hostility, prejudice or discrimination based on someone’s protected characteristics, like race, religion or disability for example.

Evidence of the hate element is not a requirement. You do not need to personally perceive the incident to be hate related. It would be enough if another person, a witness or even a police officer thought that the incident was hate related.

• Hate Incidents are recorded by the Police to understand where potential flare ups could occur and or community tensions exist. An incident does not constitute a criminal offence.

• Hate Crime can fall into one of three main types: physical assault, verbal abuse and incitement to hatred.

If someone comes to you to report this, it is very much a police matter.

Report by phone - Is it an emergency? Call 999.

Call 101 - Our national, non-emergency telephone number is staffed 24/7 to give you support and advice.

Online - True Vision - a national police scheme to help victims report hate crime online www.report-it.org.uk

In person - Visit a Police Station - Speak to an officer in person, in a safe and comfortable environment at a station.