Navigation
Hate crime
What is a hate crime and how to report it
Are you, or is someone you know, being bullied, harassed or verbally abused? Is this because of your race, religion, disability, sexuality or gender identity?
If so, this is a hate incident and should be reported.
How can I report it?
- Call 101 to report a crime. Call 999 in an emergency.
- If you are deaf or speech impaired, text the word 'police' and your message to 60066. Read more about using the text service.
- Visit your local police station
- Contact your neighbourhood officer to discuss any non-urgent concerns. For contact details enter your postcode into Your Neighbourhood search.
When you call Kent Police, ask for the incident reference number. A police officer will come to speak to you as soon as possible. (Make sure you get the police officer's name and number.) An investigating officer will always be assigned to you and you will advised who that person is.
Report it to others...
If you're not sure about contacting the police, you might prefer to:
- Call 0800 138 1624 - this service is run by trained, non-police staff and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Visit the True Vision online reporting website.
Our commitment to you
We are committed to stamping out all crime motivated by hate and prejudice. We know that hate crimes and incidents are significantly underreported. Please have the trust and confidence to report hate crimes and incidents to us. You will always be dealt with professionally and sympathetically.
Kent Police is also signed up to Mencap's 'Stand by Me' police promise. This demonstrates Kent Police's continued commitment to stand by people with learning difficulties and our commitment to put an end to hate crime.
Get support
- Find out more about organisations which offer support to victims of hate crimes.
- Stonewall's 'Blow the Whistle' guide explains what homophobic hate crime is, why hate crime should be reported and what to say when reporting it.
Hate crime or incident - definition
Hate incident
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) defines a hate incident as:
'any incident, which may or may not constitute a criminal offence, which is perceived by the victim or any other person, as being motivated by prejudice or hate.'
Hate crime
ACPO defines a hate crime as:
'any hate incident, which constitutes a criminal offence, perceived by the victim or any other person, as being motivated by prejudice or hate.'
Prejudice or hate may be based on personal characteristics including:
- disability
- race
- religion
- sexual orientation
- transgender
