Hate crime

Definition: Any criminal offence which is perceived by a person, to be motivated by a hostility or prejudice based on a person’s actual or perceived characteristic; for example their disability, transgender-identity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

Anyone can be affected by hate crime. You don’t have to be a member of the group to which the hostility is targeted.

Actions to consider

• Call 999 if you’re reporting a crime that’s in progress or if someone is in immediate danger. If the crime isn’t an emergency, call 101.
• Third party reporting centres: Local agencies such as the Citizens Advice Bureau can also report the incident on your behalf and provide you with advice and support.
• Stop Hate UK provide confidential and independent Hate Crime reporting services in various areas in the UK including a 24 hour helpline.
• If you do not want to talk to the Police or fill in the reporting forms, you can still report a hate crime by calling CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
• If the incidents continue, or you are targeted by the same the individual or group of individuals, make a log of all incidents with dates and times of offences.
• Contact Us, whether you are a victim of Hate Crime, you have witnessed an incident you believe to be a Hate Crime or you are a third party to an incident that could be a Hate Crime, Victim First are here when you want to talk.
• To find out move visit – Hate crime | Leicestershire Police (leics.police.uk)

Victim First can provide:

• Emotional Support to cope and recover from the crime
• Information on and referrals to other agencies
• Advice on crime prevention and tailored safety planning advice
• Practical support such as a personal alarm
• Restorative contact between victim and offender
• Support using Language interpreters and British Sign Language interpreters