Nobody should have to live with the fear and anxiety that hate crime can cause.

'Hate incidents' and 'hate crimes' are terms used to describe acts of violence or hostility directed at people because of who they are or who someone thinks they are.  They are motivated by hostility or prejudice based on disability, race, religion, transgender identity, or sexual orientation. This can be an incident against a person or against property and includes materials posted online.

A national anti-hate crime campaign, #BetterThanThat, has been backed by the government and has been launched in response to the rise in incidents after the EU referendum. The campaign is open to all organisations willing to support the fight against hate crime. 

The Police and the Crown Prosecution Service take all ‘hate crime’ very seriously. All Police forces would want you to report hate crimes and they take all reports of hate crime very seriously.   Hate crimes are incidents based on someone’s appearance and include Goths, Emos, Punks and other similar groups. This means they will also record any such incidents as a hate incident.

Hate Incidents

Some examples of hate incidents include:
  • verbal abuse like name-calling and offensive jokes
  • harassment
  • bullying or intimidation by children, adults, neighbours or strangers
  • physical attacks such as hitting, punching, pushing, spitting
  • threats of violence
  • hoax calls, abusive phone or text messages, hate mail
  • online abuse, for example on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat or X
  • displaying or circulating discriminatory literature or posters
  • harm or damage to things such as your home, pet, or vehicle
  • graffiti
  • arson
  • throwing rubbish into a garden
  • malicious complaints, for example over parking, smells or noise

Hate Crime

When hate incidents become criminal offences they are known as hate crimes.  A criminal offence is something that breaks the law.  Some examples of hate crimes include:
  • assaults
  • criminal damage
  • harassment
  • murder
  • sexual assault
  • theft
  • fraud
  • burglary
  • hate mail
  • harassment

Race and Religious Hate Crime 

Racist and religious crime is particularly hurtful to victims as they are being targeted solely because of their personal identity: their actual or perceived racial or ethnic origin, belief or faith. These crimes can happen randomly or be part of a campaign of continued harassment and victimisation. 

Homophobic and Transphobic Hate Crime

In the past, incidents against lesbian, gay, bisexual people or transgender people have been rarely reported and even more rarely prosecuted. Research studies suggest that victims of, or witnesses to, such incidents have very little confidence in the criminal justice system. 

Disability Hate Crime

Feeling and being unsafe through violence, harassment or negative stereotyping has a significant  impact on disabled people's sense of security and wellbeing. It also impacts significantly on their ability to participate both socially and economically in their communities.

Find out more 
  • True Vision offers guidance on reporting hate crime and hate incidents. If you do not wish to talk to anyone in person about the incident or wish to remain anonymous there is an online form for reporting hate crime; you can report non-crime hate incidents to the police to try and prevent any escalation in seriousness.
  • Internet Hate Crime. True Vision also provides further information on internet hate crime. 

External resources

https://www.stophateuk.org/
Stop Hate UK is a leading national organisation working to challenge all forms of Hate Crime and discrimination, based on any aspect of an individual’s identity.
Offers a free nationwide 24/7 helpline on 0808 801 0393 and website chat 

We’re here to help anyone affected by crime. Not only those who experience it directly, but also their friends, family and any other people involved.
It doesn’t matter when the crime took place, or whether you’ve reported it to the police. You can  at any time on 0808 1689 1111 , 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
We’re independent from the police, and our support is free and confidential.

SupportLine is aimed to help and support those who are isolated, at risk, vulnerable and victims of any form of abuse.
You can get in touch on 01708 785200 or email on info@supportline.org.uk



Call anonymously with information about crime.
0800 555 111
Equality Advisory & Support (EASS) - www.equalityadvisoryservice.com
Call on - 0808 800 0082
Advises and assists individuals on issues relating to equality and human rights across England, Scotland and Wales
Support all LGBT+ people who have experienced hate crime, domestic abuse or sexual violence
National Helpline for LGBT+ Victims and Survivors of Abuse and Violence
0800 999 5428

On Your Side - https://www.onyoursideuk.org/

On Your Side is for anyone in the UK who identifies as East and Southeast Asian, including people with mixed heritage. It is also for anyone who is perceived by others to be East and Southeast Asian and witnesses of hate towards East and Southeast Asians from any background.
Call on - 0808 801 0393 - 24/7 Helpline (or report incident online)


SAMM (Support After Murder and Manslaughter): www.samm.org.uk
SAMM offers emotional support for families and friends bereaved through murder or manslaughter. They provide listening by volunteers who have lost a loved one through murder or manslaughter. Regional one to one telephone support.
 Call on - 0121 472 2912
Stop Hate Line: www.stophateuk.org
Call on - 0800 138 1625
Run by the charity Stop Hate UK for immediate advice and support. Anyone who is either a victim or a witness of a hate crime is able to report the incident directly to the Helpline. The aim is to encourage the public to report incidents where they have been called names, physically hurt, or had their property damaged because of another person’s prejudice towards their race, faith, age, sexuality, gender or disability.
Victim Support: (24/7 support) - https://www.victimsupport.org.uk
Victim Support operates a 24/7 Supportline and live chat service, every day of the year, offering specialist emotional and practical support to anyone who has been a victim or a witness. You don't have to report a crime to get help from Victim Support.

If you'd prefer to access interactive self-support guides visit My Support Space

Telephone: 0808 16 89 111
Live chat: https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/help-and-support/get-help/support-near-you/live-chat
My Support Space: mysupportspace.org.uk/MoJ
Website: victimsupport.org.uk

All these services are free, confidential and available 24/7


Our national, non-emergency telephone number is staffed 24/7. Ask to speak to your Community Safety Unit. You can report a hate crime directly to them or simply ask them for support or advice. Call 101. 
Report it online through True Vision
True Vision is a national police scheme to help victims report hate crime online.
Average completion time: 15 minutes https://www.met.police.uk/ro/report/hate-crime/hc-av1/report-hate-crime/
The Anthony Walker Foundation - 
The Anthony Walker Foundation works to tackle racism, hate crime and discrimination by providing educational opportunities, victim support services and by promoting equity and inclusion for all.
You can report an incident you have witnessed or been a victim of on - https://anthonywalkerfoundation.com/speak-out/
You can contact the charity by calling - 0151 237 3974

Crime Stoppers is an independent charity that gives you the power to speak up to stop crime, anonymously.

Contact by phone and online, 24/7, 365 days a year on 0800 555 111 or fill out the online form - https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously
The Beaumont Society is a national self help body run by and for the transgender community: those who adopt the clothing, appearance or lifestyle of a gender different from that assigned to them at birth and embraces all aspects of gender variation. Offers a chat service, safe forum and digital content for £35 per year. 

Galop is a charity that works with LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse and violence. They specialise in supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime, honour-based abuse, forced marriage, so-called conversion therapies, and other forms of interpersonal abuse. Galop is a service run by LGBT+ people, for LGBT+ people.
Contact through phoning on 0800 999 5428 or email help@galop.org.uk


TELL MAMA - https://tellmamauk.org/

Tell Mama is a public service that offers supports victims of anti-Muslim hate which also measures and monitors anti-Muslim incidents. Tell Mama provides a counselling service to people who have been the victims of hatred and intolerance. If you would like to access the service or find out more about it, e-mail - counselling@tellmamauk.org. 

To submit a report, find out more on - https://tellmamauk.org/submit-a-report-to-us/

Community Security Trust - https://cst.org.uk/
Community Security Trust (CST) is a charity that protects British Jews from antisemitism and related threats.CST provides security advice and training for Jewish communal organisations, schools and synagogues
Then call CST's National Emergency Number (24-hr): 0800 032 3263
To report a non-urgent incident: incidents@cst.org.uk
CST Psychological Support Helpline: 0800 032 8477



Samaritains is for anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or
at risk of suicide.
Their phone line is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
116 123 

 


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