Hate crime — Police · the UK

Direct answer

Violence, threats or damage motivated by origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability is a hate crime with higher penalties, and it is under-reported — which is why reporting matters. Police — 101 / report online (999 in an emergency) (101): say explicitly that you believe the motive was hate, and ask for it to be recorded as such. Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) / EHRC (0808 800 0082) — the equality body — supports victims, monitors how the police handle it and can take a discrimination case in parallel. Victim Support — 0808 168 9111 (0808 168 9111) offers free support, also if you decide not to report.

Call firstPolice — 101 / report online (999 in an emergency)

Report toEquality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) / EHRC

If that failsVictim Support — 0808 168 9111

🗣️ What to say

"On [date] at [place] I was [attacked / threatened / insulted] by [description]. They said [words] which show it was because of my [origin / religion / orientation / …]. Witnesses: [names]. I want this recorded as a hate crime."

🪜 Step by step

Safety and medical careGet out of the situation; see a doctor and ask for injuries to be documented.
EvidencePhotos, the exact words used, witnesses' contacts, camera locations nearby.
Report to Police — 101 / report online (999 in an emergency)Use the words "hate crime" or "bias motive". Ask for a copy of the report and the case number.
Tell Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) / EHRCEquality bodies track these cases, support victims, and can intervene if the police do not take it seriously.
Support: Victim Support — 0808 168 9111Counselling, help with the process, compensation claims — free.

📇 All contacts

Police — 101 / report online (999 in an emergency)Local police for any crime that is not fraudBurglary, theft, threats, stalking📞 101 🔗 www.police.uk

Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) / EHRCAdvice on discrimination under the Equality ActDiscrimination at work, housing, services📞 0808 800 0082 🔗 www.equalityadvisoryservice.com

Victim Support — 0808 168 9111Free, confidential victim support; CICA compensationAfter any crime📞 0808 168 9111 🔗 www.victimsupport.org.uk

Civil Legal Advice / Citizens Advice / Law CentresLegal aid on low income, free adviceWhen you cannot afford a solicitor📞 0345 345 4 345 🔗 www.gov.uk/civil-legal-advice

❓ Frequently asked

The police did not record the motive

Ask in writing for the motive to be added; involve Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) / EHRC. Recording the bias motive matters for the charge and for statistics.

It was online

Hate speech online is prosecutable; save screenshots with URLs and report to the platform and the police (see the online-harassment page).

I do not want to report but need help

Victim Support — 0808 168 9111 and community organisations support you without a report. Some countries have third-party reporting so the incident is counted anonymously.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

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