Hate Crime

Stop the Hate       

 ‘Hate Crime’ is the generic term used to discuss both Hate Crimes and Hate Incidents.

Hate Crimes are any crimes perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice.

Hate Incidents feel like crimes and often escalate to crimes or tensions in a community.

Both are committed because of a person’s actual or perceived:

  • Race: including ethnicity, nationality or national origin, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
  • Religion or belief: including no faith.
  • Sexual Orientation: including Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual.
  • Gender Identity: including transgender, non-binary and gender fluid.
  • Disability: including learning, mental health, physical or sensory disability.

Hate Crime can take many forms, including:

  • Threat of or actual assault.
  • Verbal abuse.
  • Inciting others to commit Hate Crime.
  • Intimidating behaviour or harassment, including online.
  • Damage to property, including arson.
  • Offensive leaflets, posters or graffiti.

Why should you report Hate Crime?

Hate Crime in any form is inexcusable. By reporting Hate Crime, you can get help and support if you need it. If you tell someone what has happened – such as a friend, family member or agency – it gives you an opportunity to talk about what happened and decide what action to take. You may want someone to speak to the police on your behalf or you might decide to report using a different option. Anyone can report Hate Crime, regardless of whether they are the victim, witness, or are reporting on behalf of someone else.

If you report Hate Crime, you may help the police understand the extent of Hate Crime in your local area and they can develop a response. This may prevent these incidents from happening to someone else. Reporting makes a difference – to you, your friends, and your community.

There are several ways to report Hate Crime:

  • In an emergency you should always call Essex Police on 999
  • In a non-urgent situation report it to the police using the non-emergency 101 number or visit www.essex.police.uk
  • Alternatively, contact Stop Hate UK or use a third party reporting method if you do not wish to speak with the police initially or need support around reporting.

Stop Hate UK/Call Hate Out

  • If you do not want to call the police, for any reason, Stop Hate UK can provide support.
  • The helpline is confidential and independent and you can call them anonymously if you wish.
  • Stop Hate UK provide information in:
    • English and more than 40 languages
    • in large print and Braille
    • in words and pictures
    • as audio
    • in British Sign Language (BSL)
  • You can report Hate Crime incidents to Stop Hate UK via the following methods:
    • On the phone to 0800 138 1625
    • With Text Relay for people who are deaf, or have speech or hearing impairments to 18001 0800 138 1625
    • In a text message to 07717 989 025
    • In an email to talk@stophateuk.org
    • In an online form at www.stophateuk.org/tell
    • Chat on the web at www.stophate.uk.org/talk
    • In the post to: PO Box 851, Leeds LS1 9QS
  • Call Hate Out is a confidential 24-hour support service – brought to you by Stop Hate UK – for young people under 18 experiencing or witnessing Hate Crime. Contact this number if you are under 18 or calling about a person who is under 18.
  •  To report a Hate Crime

Call 0808 801 0576

    • Send a text to 07717 898 025
    • Visit www.callhateout.org

Third Party Reporting

  • If you need support around reporting the crime, visit one of Essex’s Hate Incident Reporting Centres (HIRCs). HIRCs are community venues where you can be supported to report or access support around Hate Crime. HIRCs are located in facilities or buildings that you might already be aware of, such as council offices, housing agencies and jobcentres. To find details of your local centre, search ‘Hate Crime’ at www.essex.police.uk.
  • Visit True Vision if you would prefer to report by completing an online form. This form will be sent to the police.
  • Contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 if you would like to provide the police with information or intelligence relating to a crime or incident but do not want your details to be traced.
  • Contact your local authority or housing officer if you would like to discuss a council or housing matter.


Further information and support:

  • Contact Victim Support if you have been affected by crime or a traumatic incident. Victims can access their services regardless of when the crime happened or if the police are involved:
    • Call Essex Victim Support on 0808 178 1694 (open 8am-5pm, Mon-Fri).
    • Outside of the above working hours, call the 24/7 Supportline on 0808 168 9111.
  • For guidance on the Criminal Justice System, including what happens when you report a crime and information about going to court, click here.
  • Find out about Restorative Justice:
    • Restorative Justice or Mediation are when those harmed by a crime or conflict have contact with the person responsible to try to find a way forward. Restorative Justice can be effective in showing the responsible person the real impact of their actions by putting a face to their crime. It also gives the victim and/or family the chance to tell the offender how they feel about what has happened, ask for an apology and get answers to their questions.
    • Visit Restorative Essex for more information.
  • The Strategic Hate Crime Prevention Partnership has developed a strategy for tackling hate crime across Essex. To view this strategy visit Essex Victim Support.