Hate crimes are any crimes that are targeted at a person because of hostility or prejudice towards that person’s:
This can be committed against a person or property.
A victim does not have to be a member of the group at which the hostility is targeted. In fact, anyone could be a victim of a hate crime.
More information on the different forms of hate crime can be found by clicking on the Navigation Menu on the left-hand side of your screen. You can also see our definition of hate crime on the Hate Crime Data page of this website (opens in new window).
Hate Incidents can feel like crimes to those who suffer them and often escalate to crimes or tension in a community. For this reason the police are concerned about incidents and you can use this site to report non-crime hate incidents. The police can only prosecute when the law is broken but can work with partners to try and prevent any escalation in seriousness.
Hate crimes and incidents hurt; they can be confusing and frightening.
By reporting them when they happen to you, you may be able to prevent these incidents from happening to someone else. You will also help the police understand the extent of hate crime in your local area so they can better respond to it.
Reporting makes a difference - to you, your friends, and your life.
There are several ways you can report a hate crime, whether you have been a victim, a witness, or you are reporting on behalf of someone else:
All hate crimes and incidents should be reported, whether you have been a victim, a witness or you are reporting on behalf of someone else.
These incidents may include verbal abuse, physical assault, domestic abuse, harassment and damage to property.
If a person is bullied as a result of their disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identity, this is also dealt with either as a hate crime or non-crime hate incident. Bullying could include name-calling, being spat at or kicked, or having your things taken or damaged.
Further information on what you can report and how you can report it is included in the ‘Report a hate crime’ page of this website.
“The internet is used by some people to promote terrorism and extremism. You can challenge and report terrorist and extremist content you find online, which you feel is offensive, or illegal. For more information about what makes online content illegal and how to report it, please visit www.direct.gov.uk/reportingonlineterrorism