What is hate crime

A hate crime is any crime or incident where the victim, or any other person, believes it was carried out because of the victim’s identity. This can be verbal or physical.

There are 5 strands of hate crime:

  • race, ethnicity, nationality
  • religion/faith/belief
  • disability
  • sexual orientation
  • transgender identity

If you are a victim of or witness a hate crime

  • call police on the non-emergency 101 phone number, in an emergency dial 999 or report it online on the Met police website.
  • call Stop Hate UK which provides independent, confidential and accessible reporting and support for victims, witnesses and third parties on a 24-hour free 3rd party reporting number 0800 138 1625.
  • alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, the number allows the public to give information to the police with guaranteed anonymity about crime and criminal activity.

Other support available

CATCH Partnership

The Community Alliance To Combat Hate (CATCH) is a way for people who have experienced hate to get the maximum amount of help with a minimum amount of hassle.

 The alliance is the first of its kind, bringing together six community organisations from different hate crime strands. We're here to give advice, support and advocacy if you experience hate. 

Inclusion London

Inclusion London is the only pan-London Deaf and Disabled People's Organisation (DDPO) that promotes Deaf and Disabled people's equality and inclusion by supporting DDPOs across London and campaigning for rights for Deaf and Disabled people across every London borough. Through these organisations, our reach extends to over 70. 

The London DDPO hate Crime Partnership supports a Pan-London network of Deaf & Disabled People's Organisations offering front-line services and support to Disabled victims of crime, so no Disabled person needs to suffer alone.

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Community

The Traveller Movements work aims to advocate for and work with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people to tackle discrimination and promote equality

Online Hate Crime

Online Hate Crime is any form of discrimination that takes place on the internet. This can include: 

  • Pictures on Facebook
  • Videos on Twitter
  • Music on YouTube
  • Messages on WhatsApp

Basically, any form of media or communication in any online capacity, including social media, websites, dating apps, phone apps, and streaming services can be hate crime material. 

Report online hate crimes

  • The Uk Safer Internet Centre is a partnership of three leading charities - Childnet, Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) and South West Grid for Learning (SWGFL - with a shared mission to make the internet a better place for children and young people. 
  • If you've experienced or witnessed harm Report Harmful Content can help you to report harmful content online
  • True vision is a resource with information on hate crimes and how to report a hate crime. 
  • The Monitoring Group is one of the oldest Community-Based Anti-Racist organisations in the UK.
  • Crimestoppers is an independent charity that gives you the power to speak up to stop crime, 100% anonymously.