Hate crime

Hate crime - what we can do to help you

What is hate crime?

Hate crime is any criminal offence committed against a person or property that is motivated by an offender's hatred of someone because of their:
- race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality or national origins 
- religion 
- gender or gender identity 
- sexual orientation 
- disability 

The Home Office defines hate crime as ‘any incident, which constitutes a criminal offence, which is perceived by the victim or any other person as being motivated by prejudice or hate.’

Hate crime can take many forms including:
- physical attacks – such as physical assault, damage to property, offensive graffiti, neighbour disputes and arson 
- threat of attack – including offensive letters, abusive or obscene telephone calls, groups hanging around to intimidate and unfounded, malicious complaints 
- verbal abuse or insults - offensive leaflets and posters, abusive gestures, dumping of rubbish outside homes or through letterboxes, and bullying at school or in the workplace 

The True Vision website gives information about reporting hate crime: http://www.report-it.org.uk/

A recent press release:  http://www.lbhf.gov.uk/Directory/News_and_Media/Press_office/Press_releases/50885_Race_and_faith_hate_to_be_tackled_by_new_community_reporting_centres.asp