Hate crime and hate incidents

Report a hate crime or hate incident  

For emergencies you should contact the police immediately – call 999

What is a hate incident?

A hate incident is any incident that the victim or any other person thinks was motivated by hostility or prejudice based on one of the following personal characteristics:

  • Disability (including physical disability, sensory impairments, learning disabilities, mental ill-health, long term illness or health conditions)
  • Race or ethnicity
  • Religion or belief
  • Sexual orientation (for example lesbian, gay or bisexual people)
  • Transgender identity (for example trans people or gender reassignment)

When is a hate incident also a hate crime?

When hate incidents become criminal offences they are known as hate crimes. Any criminal offence can be a hate crime if it was carried out because of hostility or prejudice based on disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identity.

Other types of hate related harassment

The Council is committed to tackling harassment based on all personal characteristics covered by the Equality Act 2010. This includes, age, disability, gender, gender identity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief and sexuality.

Information about reporting hate crime to South Yorkshire Police   

Other ways of reporting hate crime

Useful links

Victim Support 

The effects of hate crime can last for a long time, especially if you’ve suffered repeatedly. Many people find it helps to talk to someone who understands. Victim Support can help immediately after an incident or any time after the crime has taken place.