Hate crime
Hate crime can affect anyone. If you have been hurt or threatened because of your race, gender, sexual orientation, faith or disability – report it.
Hate crime can make you feel threatened and unsafe. It's important to report it, but we understand that going to the police can be difficult. To help people feel more able to report hate crime, we work with the police and local agencies to raise awareness, and make it easier to report.
What is hate crime?
Hate crime is an act or incident which is motivated by prejudice or hate. You might be targeted because of your:
- Race (not just the colour of your skin, but also your nationality, culture or language)
- Religion
- Sexual orientation
- Physical disability
- Learning disability
- Gender
- Age.
You don't need to be a member of a minority or someone who would usually be considered particularly vulnerable. Anyone can be a victim of hate crime, and everyone has a right to report it.
There are two key distinctions:
A hate crime
is when somebody does something that is against the law, and you feel that they did it because of prejudice or hate.
A hate incident
is when somebody does something that you feel they did because of prejudice or hate, but it wasn't necessarily a criminal offence.
Hate can take place anywhere - at home, on the street, at work, or in schools and colleges.
It can include any kind of threatening behaviour. It doesn't have to involve a physical attack. It could be the use of threatening or abusive language, damage to your property, or graffiti.
Why should I report hate crime?
If a hate crime is reported to the police it is taken very seriously, so reporting it to them really can make a difference. However, we understand that you might not want to speak to the police. You can speak to us about it instead. We won't pass on any of your information to the police unless we legally have to, for example if a child is at risk.
If you don't want us to inform the police, there are still things we can do if you report a hate crime to us. It can help us to keep track of what's happening, and provide better services.
For more information on hate crime and how to report it, visit our hate crime web pages
Translations, posters and leaflets
We have a selection of translated information, posters and leaflets that can tell you more about hate crime.
Easy to read hate crime leaflet
Hate crime leaflet - young people
Hate crime leaflet - large print
Hate crime poster - contact numbers
Hate crime poster - horror story
Hate crime poster - mental health
Information Translations
Hate crime information Albanian
Hate crime information in Bengali
Hate crime information in English
Hate crime information in French
Hate crime information in Lithuanian
Hate crime information in Polish
Hate crime information in Portuguese
Hate crime information in Punjabi
Hate crime information in Somali
Hate crime information in Swahili
Hate crime information in Turkish
Hate crime information in Yoruba
Getting in touch
Report Hate Crime to the Council
Phone: 020 8215 3000
Email: 3000direct@lbbd.gov.uk
Local Police Reporting Line
Phone: 0300 123 1212
Hate crime can leave you feeling isolated, vulnerable or afraid - so it is important to report it.