Hate crime has seen a surge in the last year, which is why awareness weeks are so important. From 8 – 15 October, it’s National Hate Crime Awareness Week. The week’s aim is to:
- make people aware what hate crime is
- the impact it can have within a community
- how everyone can work together to eliminate it
Statistics
In the year ending March 2022, 155,841 hate crimes were reported to Police in England and Wales. This was a 26% increase compared to the previous year. It’s the biggest increase in hate crimes since the year ending March 2017, when there was a 29% rise.
In the Government report, it states:
It is uncertain to what degree the increase in police-recorded hate crime is a genuine rise or due to continued recording improvements and more victims having the confidence to report these crimes to the police
Reported in previous years, the majority of hate crimes were racially motivated, accounting for over two-thirds of such offences (70%, 109,843 offences). These types of hate crime increased by 19% between year ending March 2021 and year ending March 2022.
What is a Hate crime?
Hate Crime is any criminal offence that is perceived by the victim, or any other person, as being motivated by prejudice or hate. This can be based on a person’s actual or perceived race, religious belief, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity.
Hate Crime can take the form of:
- Physical violence or assault
- Verbal abuse or threats
- Obscene calls or texts
- Offensive mail or email
- Harassment, exclusion or isolation
- Damage to property
What is a ‘hate incident’?
According to the Metropolitan Police a hate incident is:
A hate incident is any incident which the victim, or anyone else, thinks is based on someone’s prejudice towards them because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or because they are transgender.
Should I report a hate crime?
Yes, because hate crimes and incidents can impact on an individual and the community. It can also be a frightening experience.
By reporting a hate crime or incident, you might stop further incidents from happening in your community. Also, by making a report, it will help the local police understand what types of hate crimes are more prevalent in your area.
What if I am too scared to report the hate crime/incident to the Police?
If you are too anxious and/or scared to report to the police, then you can report it to a Third-Party Reporting Centre, like us. We will provide confidential help and support. You can choose to remain anonymous and have no contact with the police.
You can also report hate crime or incident to one of the following independent reporting sites without revealing your personal details:
We have partnered with Hampshire Constabulary to become a Third-Party Reporting Centre.
As a Third-Party Reporting Centre, we offer an alternative to speaking directly to the police about a hate crime or hate incidents. We provide confidential help and support to report a hate crime or incident.
