Hate crime and getting support

What hate crime means

Hate crime is criminal offending connected with hostility based on disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identity. These are the five strands recognised in the hate-crime framework. It can involve a characteristic the offender thinks someone has, and more than one strand at once. Anyone can report a concern, including a witness. Police and prosecutors have different recording and evidence decisions to make; you do not need to prove hostility before asking them to investigate. What happened is not your fault.

A hate incident is not always a crime

Some hostile incidents do not meet the test for a criminal offence. Feeling offended alone does not make lawful speech criminal. You can still explain concerns, repeated targeting and risks of harm to police or a support service. Police decide whether an offence or an incident-recording threshold is met; not every report is recorded as a non-crime hate incident. As at November 2026, replacement recording arrangements are planned for early 2027. Ask how your report has been assessed and what action or support is available.

Recognise the behaviour, wherever it happens

Examples of possible offences include threats, assault, robbery, property damage, repeated harassment and some online abuse. Hostility might be shown through words or how the offence is carried out; it need not come from a stranger. Someone may target a person’s communication aid, mobility equipment or disability-related needs. Not every crime against a disabled person is legally a disability hate crime, but theft, abuse or exploitation can still be serious and should not be dismissed.

When someone pretends to be a friend

A person may use apparent friendship to take money, pressure someone into acts they do not want or exploit their home. This is sometimes called mate crime, but it is exploitation rather than genuine friendship. Taking over someone’s home for criminal activity is often called cuckooing. Such behaviour may involve several offences and safeguarding concerns; a hate-crime label depends on the evidence of hostility. Tell police or adult safeguarding what is happening. Do not confront the person or try to remove them yourself if unsafe.

Get help and choose a safe reporting route

Call 999 if someone is in immediate danger or a crime is happening. Otherwise call 101 or use your local police force’s online reporting route. The police-run True Vision site links to force reporting pages. Online reports are not an emergency response. Move to a safer place if you can do so safely and seek medical help for injuries. You do not need to collect evidence or work out the exact offence before reporting.

Explain what you know and what you need

Tell police what happened, when and where, whether it has happened before and why you think hostility may be involved. Use your own words or communication method; it is fine to say you do not know or cannot remember. Explain any ongoing threats, dependence on the person or unsafe contact details. A friend, family member or support organisation can help report. Involve the affected person and respect their wishes wherever possible; urgent danger, risks to children or other safeguarding duties may require action without waiting for agreement.

Keep evidence only when safe

Keep original messages, account names, links, dates and any report references. Screenshots of ordinary posts or messages may help; do not edit the original or put yourself at risk to obtain more. Report abusive content to the platform as well as police where appropriate, and ask for help managing further contact. Do not download or forward illegal sexual images; tell police where the material is. Supporters should record what they witnessed separately from the person’s own account and avoid rehearsing a preferred story.

Ask for accessible police and court support

Explain your communication, sensory and access needs at the start. Ask for clear questions, time, breaks and information you can understand. Under the Victims’ Code, ask for a needs assessment and appropriate support, including consideration of enhanced rights. A registered intermediary can help eligible victims or witnesses communicate; police or prosecutors arrange an assessment where relevant. Court special measures depend on eligibility and a court decision. These roles are different from an appropriate adult for a suspect. The Witness Service can help with preparing for court.

You can get support without reporting to police

Victim Support is independent of the police. Its free Supportline is 08 08 16 89 111, available 24 hours a day; online contact and live chat are also available. You can ask for help even if the crime was not reported. Stop Hate UK provides independent reporting and support where its service is funded: check coverage for where you live or the incident happened. Its Stop Hate Line is 0800 138 1625. Ask each service about accessible contact, privacy and what information it may need to share.

Follow up if concerns are missed

Ask for the incident or crime reference, a contact and how updates will be provided safely. Report new threats and explain links to earlier incidents. If police have missed disability hostility, describe the relevant words, behaviour or pattern and ask them to review their assessment. You can seek help from a victim service or use the police complaints process. A decision not to investigate or prosecute has different review rules; ask which route applies rather than assuming a complaint automatically reopens the case.

Plan support without blaming the person

The person who causes harm is responsible for it. Support should help you keep choices, friendships and community life, not automatically stop you going out or using the internet. Discuss practical safety measures you want and review them as circumstances change. The optional worksheet is a private planning aid, not a witness statement or a requirement to report. It records contacts, access needs and next steps without asking for a detailed assault account. Keep it somewhere safe and share only as appropriate.

Hate crime and getting help

What hate crime means

Recognising harm

Report safely

Ask for communication support

Support and next steps

What you can do next

More useful links