You should report hate crime if you've been a victim yourself, or witnessed a hate crime incident.
A 'hate incident' is defined as such if the victim, or anyone else, thinks the motivation for a person being targeted is because of their:
- disability
- race
- religion
- sexual orientation
- gender identity
Examples of hate incidents are:
- verbal abuse
- harassment, bullying or intimidation
- physical attacks
- hoax calls, abusive telephone or text messages, hate mail
- online abuse
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 a person's disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Examples of hate crimes are:
- assaults
- criminal damage
- harassment
- murder
- sexual assault
- theft
- hate mail (Malicious Communications Act 1988)
- causing harassment, alarm or distress (Public Order Act 1988)
Report hate crime by telephone
Report hate crime by calling one of the following organisations:
- the police on 999 in an emergency, or 101 in a non-emergency
- Supporting Victims on telephone: 01609 643100 (Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 6.00pm)
Report hate crime online
Contact the following organisations online, who also provide support and advice:
- Supporting Victims
- watch their video called are you a victim of crime in York and North Yorkshire?
Start Safe, Stay Safe app
A new app lets you report harassment or hate crime, and get support. On it you can:
- report anonymously
- access specialist support
- capture audio, video and picture evidence
- report the incident for formal investigation by police or council
Download the Start Safe, Stay Safe app from Apple Store or Google Play. Find more guidance on support and reporting hate crime.
York and North Yorkshire Hate Crime and Community Cohesion Plan
York and North Yorkshire Community Safety Partnerships, working with North Yorkshire Police and the Police, Fire & Crime Directorate of the Combined Authority are committed to delivering the Vision and Aims set out in this 3-year strategy.
Locally this work will be led by the York Hate Crime Partnership which is accountable for its progress to the Safer York Partnership Board and York and North Yorkshire Inclusive Communities Joint Commissioning Group.
Read the York and North Yorkshire Hate Crime and Community Cohesion Plan.