Reporting a Hate Crime
Contact the Police to report a hate crime, in an emergency you should always call 999
- If it is not an emergency call 101
- If you have a hearing or speech impairment use the MPS Text Phone Service:
- For emergencies text 18000 to 999
- For non-emergencies text 18001 to 101
- Make an online report
- You can also report hate crime to our ASB on 020 7364 5015, Option 6
- You can also reach out to CATCH, a London based advocacy and support service
What is a hate crime?
Hate crime is any criminal offence where anyone believes the victim has been targeted because of their:
- disability
- race or ethnic identity
- religion/belief
- gender or gender identity
- sexual orientation
- age
- immigration status or nationality
- or any other actual or perceived difference.
Hate crime behaviours can include
- physical attacks – pushing and shoving to serious assaults
- verbal abuse – using derogatory or insulting words
- threatening behaviour, bullying and intimidation
- damage to property – including offensive graffiti
- harassment
- malicious communications – threatening or offensive mail, texts or emails
- damage to property and violence
- hate can also be directed at whole communities – for example, vandalism of places of worship, or offensive graffiti in public places.
What is a hate incident?
Hate incidents are incidents that do not constitute a criminal offence but cause alarm, distress or harassment where anyone believes the victim has been targeted because of their race, ethnicity, religion or belief, gender or gender identity, disability, age, sexual orientation or any other actual or perceived difference.
We work closely with the council, the police and other agencies to prevent all forms of hate crime, take action against offenders and support and protect victims. We encourage anyone who is the victim of, or witness to, hate crime to report it immediately. This is vital to ensure that offenders are brought to justice – we will not tolerate hate crime.