Hate crime
Hate crime is a criminal offence. If you experience or witness it, please report it to the police immediately.
A hate crime is a criminal offence (e.g., assault, threats, vandalism, harassment, criminal damage), and where there is evidence or perception that the victim is targeted because of hostility or prejudice linked to a protected characteristic, such as:
- Race or ethnicity
- Religion or beliefs
- Disability
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity
- Or any other characteristic the victim perceives as the motivation
Hate crime is taken extremely seriously due to the risk, impact, repeat nature, and potential escalation involved.
If you're unsure whether an incident is a hate crime, the police advice is simple:
If you think it is, please report it.
We also respond to hate incidents, which may not meet the criminal threshold but still involve prejudice or hostility and will be handled with care.
A hate incident is any behaviour that the victim or anyone else perceives to be motivated by hostility or prejudice — but does not meet the threshold of a criminal offence.
Examples:
- Name‑calling or insults
- Comments made in passing
- Behaviour that is offensive but not criminal
- Verbal abuse without threats
- Single, low‑level occurrences that cause alarm or distress
If you're unsure whether an incident is a hate crime, remember 'If you think it is, please report it'.
Call 999 if you are in immediate danger.
For non‑emergencies, call 101 or use the police online reporting service.
Please also tell the police if you are worried about your safety so they can take steps to protect you.
After informing the police, please report the incident to us.
We understand that speaking about a distressing or frightening experience can be difficult.
Our team will listen without judgement, treat you with respect, and work at a pace that feels right for you.
You can contact us through our customer experience team or raise a case through our chatbot.
When you report a hate crime to us, we will:
- Make contact with you by the end of the next working day. If you need us to make any adjustments regarding how and when we contact you, please let us know. We will do our best to accommodate this to help you feel supported
- Listen to what you want to happen, and explain your options so you can make informed choices
- Assess the information sensitively to understand whether the incident meets our criteria for investigation, and be clear about what we can do
- Agree a plan with you, including safety considerations and any immediate support you may need
- Only ask for additional details or evidence if this feels manageable for you, such as photos, messages or witness information. We will explain why we are asking, and you can choose what you feel able to share
Our priority is always your safety and well being.
If you need additional advice or emotional support, you can contact:
Stop Hate UK - they are a confidential, 24‑hour hate crime reporting and support service.
0800 138 1625 www.stophateuk.org
