H.O.P.E. Campaign

Links to H.O.P.E. Campaign Sections

H

H for Hate crime awareness - We want to ensure everyone knows what hate crime is, its impact on our communities, and how we can work together to eliminate it.

HC Awareness Section

O

H

O for Operational responses - We want to improve how the police respond to hate crime, and ensure our communities are prepared to respond as well.

Operational Section

P

H

P

P for Preventing hate crime - We need to learn from what has happened before and put measures in place to prevent it happening again.

Prevention Section

E

H

P

E for Engaging communities - We want to ensure communities are consulted and involved in the process of developing strategies to tackle hate crime across the UK.

Engagement Section

We Stand Together Against Hate Crime

Please reach us at mark@17-24-30.org if you cannot find an answer to your question.

Introduction

We believe that most people want to live in peace and harmony together.

We believe that hate crime targeted towards people because of their disability, faith or beliefs, race, sexual orientation or transgender identity, or any other protected characteristic is repugnant, and that we need to work together to eliminate it from our communities.

The main objective of National Hate Crime Awareness Week #NationalHCAW is to encourage the authorities (Government, Police and Councils), key partners (anti-hate crime charities, business and voluntary sectors), and communities affected by hate crime to work together to tackle local hate crime issues.

We use the three hashtags #WeStandTogether, #NoPlaceForHate and #SafePlaceForAll because it reflects the journey we want to take people on - to bring people together, to say no to hate crime and to make our communities safer for everyone.

Whilst our NationalHCAW launch event focuses on one of the recognised hate crime strands each year, we encourage communities to work together to tackle local issues because hate crime manifests itself differently around the UK.

We want all forms of hate crime to be tackled during the national week and beyond.

We produce a regular newsletter sharing information about our work, including update from across the UK Hate Crime Sector.

If you are tackling hate crime - tell us about it so we can promote your work too.

Mailing List

Like and follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, and Instagram.

We are creating social media content which we will share through our social media profiles, please like and share it with your social media profiles and help us maximise social media engagement across the UK.

We have also created some BlueSky Lists and BlueSky Starter Packs that you may find useful. Let us know if you want to be added to any of these lists.

Social Media

Promote our message of H.O.P.E. Campaign and our national theme.

Here is an opportunity for you to be creative, to adapt our social media content and create your own social media content to reflect the needs of your local communities.

Please send us copies of what you create.

Use our hashtags

Tag us in your posts @nationalHCAW or #NationalHCAW.

Make sure you use the word National to help us emphasise that this is a national event and distinguish ourselves from other Hate Crime Awareness Weeks HCAW that may take place during the year.

We want to take people on a journey – hence the three hashtags we use #WeStandTogether (Green a traditional start colour) aiming to bring people together, #NoPlaceForHate (Red a traditional stop colour) opposing hate crime in our communities, #SafePlaceForAll (Blue representing blue skies ahead where we can live in peace and harmony together.

When colouring in the letters of H.O.P.E. we colour H in Green, O in Red, P in Blue and E in Yellow (because yellow is building community relationships when the sun is shining).

We have stopped using the NHCAW hash tag and ask you to stop using it to as there is organisation in the USA that uses NHCAW - who has nothing to do with the hate crime sector.

Use our NationalHCAW Logo

You are welcome to use the #NationalHCAW logo - All we ask is you send us a copy of any materials/resources you produce so we can add them to our #NationalHCAW archive.

We have created a Pinterest Profile to share this year's artwork - feel welcome to download and use them as long as you tag us in your social media posts.

PINTEREST Profile

Network with local authorities, key partners and communities affected by hate crime.

Join our UK Hate Crime Group on Linkedin - it is a really important tool that we can use to network and collaborate with each other. We need to build our hate crime sector.

LinkedIn Group

Don't retaliate to hate on the internet with more hate

Sadly it has become a occupational hazard for those of us who are tackling all forms of hate and prejudice in our communities, that we may be targeted as well.

Please don't engage with any hateful content that gets directed towards us.
Privately message and alert us about any incidents so we can deal with it privately.
We will document any attacks - so we can help identify the perpetrators and then block and report them as appropriate.
Incidents that cross the threshold into criminal behaviour will be reported to the police and pursued through the Criminal Justice System.
We view any attacks as an opportunity to shine a light on hateful behaviour and content, and may use it to evidence our need for further funding to continue our work.

Deal with localised incidents appropriately.

We believe it is important that local incidents are dealt with by the local authorities (police and councils), key partners and the local communities affected so please be mindful about tagging us as a national charity in localised incidents - it is often not appropriate and can escalate local tensions, making things much harder for local communities to resolve.

Consider those affected by hate crime - where possible avoid sharing photos of victims of hate crime without their consent, and do not share photos of children (the exception is when sharing police appeals for more information to solve hate crime).

Inconsiderate sharing can also spread fear and raise concerns for personal/community safety.

You are always welcome to privately flag up incidents to our attention and where possible we will direct you to local advice and support services, although bear in mind we are a small team of volunteers, this is not our primary purpose, and it may take some time for us to respond.

If anyone is at risk of harm then call the police on 999 or 101 if it is not an emergency.

Alternatively many advice and support organisations are listed on our hate crime reporting page.

Remember to focus on the positive, inclusive spirit and intention of the national week.

National Hate Crime Awareness Week is about bringing everyone together to tackle all forms prejudice and hate.

There is no acceptable form of hate and prejudice, and no excuse for using the week to launch any attacks on anyone at all. There is no place for mocking memes. There is no place for hate here.

Always treat everyone with dignity and respect - even those with whom we disagree most strongly.

17-24-30 National Hate Crime Awareness Week (1184819) is and always will be an inclusive organisation, working with disabled people, people of all faiths (including the Muslim and Jewish communities) and beliefs, transgender and non-binary people, people of all races, cultures and sub-cultures (including the Roma Gypsy Traveller communities), lesbians, bisexuals and gay men.

Promote Love, Pride and H.O.P.E.

Feel welcome to contact us and share your ideas on how we can improve this campaign.

Contact Us

Raising Hate Crime Awareness

Please use this contact form to share your thoughts and ideas about raising Hate Crime Awareness!

Be aware how Hate Crime is defined in the UK

A hate crime is generally understood across the UK as a criminal offence in which hostility or prejudice towards a person, or a group of people, because of a particular characteristic forms part of the motivation or circumstances of the offence. Importantly, hate crime is not usually a single, separate criminal offence. Rather, an existing offence—such as assault, harassment, threats or criminal damage—may be identified and dealt with as a hate crime because of the hostility or prejudice involved.

There are differences in the legal frameworks across the four UK nations.

England and Wales:

Police and the Crown Prosecution Service use a common definition: a hate crime is any criminal offence perceived by the victim or another person to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity, including where the characteristic is only perceived. These are the five centrally monitored hate-crime strands. At prosecution and sentencing, the law provides specific mechanisms for offences involving hostility relating to these characteristics.

Northern Ireland:

Northern Ireland has a separate criminal justice system and does not have a single statutory definition of hate crime. The Police Service of Northern Ireland records hate crime where an offence is perceived to involve hostility or prejudice connected with race/ethnicity, religion or faith, sectarianism, sexual orientation, disability or transgender identity. Where there is sufficient evidence of hostility, existing legislation allows this to be treated as an aggravating factor for sentencing purposes. Sectarianism is a particularly important distinction in the Northern Irish framework and recording system.

Scotland:

Scotland has its own hate-crime legislation, principally the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021, which came fully into force on 1 April 2024. It consolidates protections relating to race, religion, disability, sexual orientation and transgender identity, and additionally includes age as a characteristic for statutory aggravations. The legislation also covers variations in sex characteristics and contains specific offences concerning the stirring up of hatred.

Across the UK, therefore, the central concept is broadly consistent: a hate crime involves conduct that is already criminal, together with hostility or prejudice connected to an aspect of identity. However, the characteristics recognised, the terminology used, and the legislative mechanisms for prosecuting and sentencing hate crime differ between the jurisdictions.

It is also important to distinguish a hate crime from a hate incident (sometimes referred to as Non-Crime Hate Incidents NCHIs): offensive, prejudiced or hateful behaviour is not necessarily a hate crime unless the conduct itself amounts to a criminal offence.

Be aware of current Hate Crime legislation in the UK

The UK does not have a single, UK-wide “Hate Crime Act”. Criminal law differs between England and Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, and each jurisdiction uses a combination of specific offences, aggravated offences, sentencing provisions and offences concerning the stirring up of hatred.

England and Wales

The principal framework recognises five hate-crime characteristics: race, religion, sexual orientation, disability and transgender identity.

Three main mechanisms operate.

1. Racially and religiously aggravated offences. Sections 28–32 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 create aggravated forms of specified offences, including assault, criminal damage, public-order offences and harassment. An offence can be aggravated where racial or religious hostility is demonstrated at the time of the offence, or where the offence is motivated by such hostility. These aggravated offences can attract higher maximum penalties than their ordinary equivalents.

2. Enhanced sentencing. Section 66 of the Sentencing Act 2020 requires courts to treat hostility based on race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity as an aggravating factor when sentencing an offender. This can apply to essentially any criminal offence where the required hostility is established. It replaced/consolidated the previous provisions in sections 145 and 146 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003.

3. Stirring-up hatred offences. Parts III and IIIA of the Public Order Act 1986 criminalise certain conduct intended or, for racial hatred in some circumstances, likely to stir up hatred. The legislation covers racial hatred, religious hatred and hatred on grounds of sexual orientation. Disability and transgender identity are not presently covered by equivalent stirring-up offences in England and Wales.

The Crime and Policing Act 2026 has legislated to extend the aggravated-offence framework to disability, sexual orientation, transgender identity and sex, but those reforms require commencement regulations before becoming operational law.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland currently retains a different and, in some respects, older model.

The main hate-crime sentencing legislation is the Criminal Justice (No. 2) (Northern Ireland) Order 2004. Where an offence is aggravated by hostility, the court must take this into account when determining the seriousness of the offence and sentencing the offender. The statutory protected grounds are race, religion, sexual orientation and disability.

Unlike England and Wales and Scotland, transgender identity is not currently a statutory protected characteristic under this hate-crime sentencing legislation, although the PSNI records transphobic hate crimes and incidents operationally.

Northern Ireland also has separate stirring-up hatred/arousing fear offences under Part III of the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987. Originally centred on racial and religious hatred, the legislation was extended by the 2004 Order to cover groups defined by sexual orientation and disability.

The Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc.) Bill, introduced into the Northern Ireland Assembly in March 2026.

The Bill proposes a statutory aggravation model under which existing criminal offences could be prosecuted in an aggravated form where hostility based on racial group, religious group, sexual orientation or disability is proved. It would replace the existing enhanced-sentencing provision in Article 2 of the 2004 Order.

Importantly, this remains a Bill rather than the current law as at August 2026, so the 2004 enhanced-sentencing framework remains the relevant existing statutory regime.

Scotland

Scotland now has the most substantially reformed hate-crime framework in the UK. The central legislation is the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021, which came into force on 1 April 2024.

The Act consolidated much of Scotland's previous hate-crime legislation and currently provides statutory aggravations relating to:

age
disability
race
religion
sexual orientation
transgender identity
variations in sex characteristics.

Any underlying criminal offence can potentially be aggravated by prejudice relating to one or more of these characteristics. The Act also covers cases involving presumed membership of a group and, in relevant circumstances, association with somebody possessing a protected characteristic.

The 2021 Act also substantially expanded Scotland's stirring-up hatred law. The pre-existing offence of stirring up racial hatred was retained, while new offences were introduced concerning hatred based on age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity and variations in sex characteristics. For the newer characteristics, the prosecution must establish threatening or abusive behaviour/material and an intention to stir up hatred.

There is a further change on the statute book but not yet in force as at August 2026. The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 (Characteristic of Sex) (Amendment and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026 will add sex to both the statutory-aggravation regime and the stirring-up hatred provisions. The Scottish Government states that these changes will come into force on 5 April 2027.

NationalHCAW believes that there needs to be parity before the law for all communities affected by hate crime.

Be aware the Government's last Hate Crime Action Plan lapsed in 2020

The UK Governments first dedicated cross-government plan to tackle hate crime was published under the Coalition government on the 13 March 2012, an update was published on the 1st May 2014. It was replaced with a new Hate Crime Action Plan in 2016.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hate-crime-action-plan-challenge-it-report-it-stop-it

The last Government Hate Crime Action Plan was published on 26 July 2016, with an update published on the progress of the plan in October 2018. The plan lapsed in 2020, with the last recorded update on the 9th November 2020.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hate-crime-action-plan-2016

One of the aims of National Hate Crime Awareness Week is to encourage the authorities, key partners and communities affected by hate crime to work together across the UK.

NationalHCAW believe it would be beneficial for the Government to develop a new Government Hate Crime Action Plan.

Be aware of the latest Government Hate Crime Stats

England and Wales

The Home Office publish an annual report about Police recorded hate crime on the Government's website in October each year. This is the total number of hate crime incidents reported to and recorded by the Police across England and Wales.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hate-crime-statistics

Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Assembly publish their quarterly updates about recorded hate crime reported to the Police Service of Northern Ireland PSNI on their website.

https://www.psni.police.uk/about-us/our-publications-and-reports/official-statistics/hate-motivation-statistics

Scotland

The Scottish Government publish their annual report about recorded hate crime incidents reported to Police Scotland on their website.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/hate-crimes-recorded-police-scotland-2024-25/

https://www.gov.scot/publications/hate-crimes-recorded-police-scotland-2023-24/

https://www.gov.scot/publications/hate-crimes-recorded-by-the-police-in-scotland-2022-23/

It is important to acknowledge that recorded hate crime stats are not the total number of hate crime incidents that have taken place - many hate crime incidents are often unreported for various reasons.

Police Recorded Hate Crime Stats.

These are hate crime incidents that are recorded by the police - some crime dashboards including hate crime figures are available on Police Service and Police and Crime Commissioner websites.

NationalHCAW believe people should be aware, where they can obtain their local recorded hate crime stats.

Be aware of the Crime Survey for England and Wales

The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW)—formerly known as the British Crime Survey—is a victimisation survey managed by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Established in 1981, it measures the extent and trends of personal and household crime across England and Wales.

The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) is an interviewer-administered face-to-face survey, asking people (aged 16 years and over) resident in households, about their experiences of crime in the past year. The CSEW captures a broad range of victim-based crimes with the interviewer-administered questions. It gives headline estimates of CSEW crime, which includes hate crime alongside theft, robbery, criminal damage, fraud, computer misuse, and violence with or without injury.

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/crimeinenglandandwales/latest

The survey provides us with an estimated level of hate crime.

NationalHCAW believe that the difference between the estimated level of hate crime and the recorded level of reported hate crime indicates how much hate crime may be unreported, which is why we continue to promote hate crime reporting.

Be aware of the National Hate Crime Independent Advisory Group

The current National Hate Crime IAG was formed in 2007 to advise the government’s hate crime programme and has formally advised the National Policing Lead since this time.

https://www.report-it.org.uk/hate_crime_independent_advisory_group/

Terms of Reference: National Hate Crime IAG Terms of Reference

Under the previous Government administration It ended its formal relationship with government but continues to advise on national policing policy and responses.

NationalHCAW believes the Government should reaffirm it's relationship with the National Hate Crime IAG and work with them to produce a new Government Hate Crime Action Plan for the UK

Be aware of the need for funding for the UK Hate Crime Sector

We have seen the impact of funding cuts across the UK's hate crime sector, which have led to a decrease in anti-hate crime activities, the closure of hate crime forums, the loss of dedicated hate crime officers, and the closure of specialist hate crime advice and support services.

NationalHCAW believes the Government should provide adequate investment to rebuild and maintain the UK Hate Crime Sector's infrastructure - so that there is effective regional coordination and access to support across the UK.

We call on the Government to provide us and the sector with funding.

Be aware of the statutory duty for local authorities to work in partnership to tackle local crime (including hate crime).

The Crime and Disorder Act 1998, principally sections 5–7, established the statutory framework for local multi-agency arrangements now known as Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs). The legislation places duties on specified “responsible authorities”, including local authorities, to work together to address crime, disorder and related community safety issues within each local government area.

A local authority is therefore not solely responsible for the CSP or its strategy. Rather, it is one of a number of responsible authorities that are under a joint statutory duty to work in partnership. CSPs were originally known as Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships. Current Home Office guidance confirms that they remain statutory partnerships established under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

The statutory duties

Under section 6 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, as amended, the responsible authorities must work together to formulate and implement strategies for their area relating to:

the reduction of crime and disorder, including anti-social behaviour and other behaviour adversely affecting the local environment;
combating the misuse of drugs, alcohol and other substances;
the reduction of reoffending; and
preventing people from becoming involved in serious violence and reducing serious violence, following subsequent amendments to the Act.

The legislation therefore establishes community safety as a shared statutory responsibility, rather than a matter for the police or local authority acting independently.

Strategic Assessment and Community Safety/Partnership Plan

The detailed requirements for planning are contained in the Crime and Disorder (Formulation and Implementation of Strategy) Regulations 2007.

The CSP's strategy group is required to undertake an annual Strategic Assessment. This must analyse local levels and patterns of crime and disorder, changes in those patterns and the reasons for them. It must also identify the matters which the responsible authorities and people living and working locally consider should be priorities, and assess the implementation of the previous year's plan.

The strategy group must then prepare a Partnership Plan, commonly referred to locally as a Community Safety Plan, and revise it annually in light of the Strategic Assessment. The plan establishes the partnership's priorities and strategy for tackling identified community safety issues.

Consequently, the statutory framework is more than simply a requirement for agencies to meet as a CSP. It creates an ongoing cycle of:

assessment of local crime and disorder → identification of priorities → partnership planning → implementation → monitoring and annual review.

The CSP is also expected to consult and engage with local communities about community safety priorities and progress and to have appropriate arrangements for information sharing between partners.

Key Community Safety Partners

The statutory responsible authorities forming the core membership of a Community Safety Partnership are:

Local authorities – the relevant council or councils for the area.
Police – represented by the relevant chief officer of police.
Fire and Rescue Authority/Service.
Health partners – principally the relevant Integrated Care Board (ICB) in England; different health arrangements apply in Wales.
The Probation Service.

These are the principal statutory partners identified by current Home Office guidance.

A CSP can also involve other organisations where their participation assists in addressing local community safety priorities. Depending on the area and the issues identified, these may include:

Police and Crime Commissioners or, in London, the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime;
housing providers;
youth offending/youth justice services;
safeguarding partnerships;
education providers;
voluntary and community organisations;
victim support organisations;
domestic abuse services;
businesses and Business Improvement Districts; and
other relevant public services.

These additional organisations are not necessarily “responsible authorities” under the Crime and Disorder Act, but CSPs are able to involve other local partners in delivering their community safety objectives.

Summary

In practical terms, the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 creates a continuing statutory responsibility for local authorities to participate with the other responsible authorities in a Community Safety Partnership. The partnership must assess crime and disorder in its area, determine local priorities, formulate and implement strategies to address them, and maintain and annually review a Partnership or Community Safety Plan.

The statutory framework therefore provides a mechanism for ensuring that local crime and community safety problems are identified through evidence and consultation and addressed collectively by the relevant local agencies, rather than being treated solely as policing matters.

NationalHCAW believes that we need to ensure tackling hate crime is assessed by local Community Safety Partnerships and included in local Community Safety Plans.

Be aware of the Prosecution Services

England and Wales

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has a duty is to make sure that the right person is prosecuted for the right offence, and to bring offenders to justice wherever possible.

https://www.cps.gov.uk/

The Crown Prosecution Service plays a central role in tackling hate crime in England and Wales by deciding whether cases should be prosecuted as hate crimes, presenting those cases in court, and asking courts to impose increased sentences where hostility based on race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity is proven.

https://www.cps.gov.uk/types-crime/hate-crime

To strengthen its response, the CPS trains all prosecutors on hate crime, regularly quality-checks cases, publishes specialist prosecution guidance and policy statements, and works with police, criminal justice agencies and community organisations. It also uses local and national community feedback groups, including its Hate Crime External Consultation Group, to review its approach and improve communication with victims, witnesses and affected communities.

In 2026, the CPS updated guidance designed to speed up charging decisions in hate-crime cases, partly in response to rising antisemitic incidents. The guidance emphasises acting promptly once the evidential threshold for prosecution has been met and focusing initially on the core evidence required to charge a suspect.

https://www.cps.gov.uk/prosecution-guidance/hate-crime-charging-allegations-hate-crime-prosecution-guidance

Northern Ireland

Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland (PPS). is the principal independent prosecuting authority for Northern Ireland.

https://www.ppsni.gov.uk/

The PPS has a specific Hate Crime Policy which it applies to relevant cases. Hate crime in Northern Ireland includes offending motivated by hostility or prejudice relating to race, religion—including sectarianism—sexual orientation, transgender identity or disability.

https://www.ppsni.gov.uk/publications/hate-crime-policy

https://www.ppsni.gov.uk/files/ppsni/publications/PPS%20Hate%20Crime%20Policy.pdf

Prosecutors can identify cases as aggravated by hostility where there is sufficient evidence, which can enable the court to impose an enhanced sentence. The PPS also emphasises support for victims and witnesses, including the use of Victim Personal Statements to explain the wider impact of hate crime to the court.

Following the violent disorder in Northern Ireland in summer 2024, the PPS established a specialist team of prosecutors, led by the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, to advise police and help hate-crime and public-disorder cases move through the courts quickly. The PPS says it works with partners across the justice system and prosecutes qualifying cases robustly. Its latest published hate-crime bulletin recorded 389 hate-crime files in 2024–25, up from 340 the previous year; 47% related to racial crime and 21.3% to sectarian crime.

https://www.ppsni.gov.uk/news/pps-publishes-annual-statistical-bulletin-hate-crime-2024-25

Scotland

Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS).

https://www.copfs.gov.uk/

COPFS is Scotland’s independent public prosecution service, performing broadly the same prosecutorial role as the CPS in England and Wales.

COPFS treats hate crime seriously in decisions about whether and how to prosecute. Scotland's hate-crime framework covers prejudice relating to race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, transgender identity, age and variations in sex characteristics. COPFS also publishes detailed annual statistics to monitor how hate crime is being reported and prosecuted.

Its latest figures show 7,115 charges containing at least one element of hate crime were reported in 2025–26, a 17% increase on the previous year and the highest total since comparable records began in 2003–04. Race-related crime remains the largest category.

https://www.copfs.gov.uk/about-copfs/news/hate-crime-charges-increases-to-new-high/

The Lord Advocate has reaffirmed prosecutors' commitment to tackling these offences. More broadly, COPFS works closely with Police Scotland and other justice partners, provides support and information to victims and witnesses, and uses its prosecution policies and Prosecution Code to promote consistent decision-making. A revised Prosecution Code came into force in June 2026, accompanied by staff training and engagement with partner organisations.

https://www.copfs.gov.uk/about-copfs/our-role-in-the-justice-process/

NationalHCAW believes that the perpetrators of hate crime need to be brought to justice.

Be aware

More to be added here.

We share definitions of hate crime

01:12

The law recognises five types of hate crime on the basis of:

Race
Religion
Disability
Sexual orientation
Transgender identity

02:12

01:12

Any crime can be prosecuted as a hate crime if the offender has either: (a) demonstrated hostility based on race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity, Or (b) been motivated by hostility based on race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity

Someone can be a victim of more than one type of hate crime.

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These crimes are covered by legislation (Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and section 66 of the Sentencing Act 2020) which allows prosecutors to apply for an uplift in sentence for those convicted of a hate crime.

04:12

03:12

The police and the CPS have agreed the following definition for identifying and flagging hate crimes: "Any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice, based on a person's disability or perceived disability; race or perceived race; or religion or perceived religion; or sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation or transgender identity or perceived transgender identity."

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There is no legal definition of hostility so the CPS use the everyday understanding of the word which include use the everyday understanding of the word which includes ill-will, spite, contempt, prejudice, unfriendliness, antagonism, resentment and dislike.

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Hate crime targets people for who they are.

It's a very personal crime which can send a clear message: "You're not welcome".

Hate crime also reinforces long-established patterns of discrimination and prejudice against certain communities and groups of people.

07:12

The police investigate and obtain evidence to show a crime has been committed.

In hate crime cases this includes gathering evidence that the victim has been targeted because of their race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity - or what the offender believes to be their race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity.

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The CPS is responsible for deciding which cases go to court. This includes taking a decision on whether there is enough evidence to prosecute a crime as a hate crime.

If an offender pleads not guilty, the CPS is responsible for preparing and presenting the case against them at court

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Crown Prosecution Service

In hate crime cases, the CPS is also responsible for asking the courts to increase the sentence the offender receives - to reflect that the crime was a hate crime.

Crown Prosecution Service

CPS Website

Find out more

Government Website

Crown Prosecution Service

College of Policing

GOV.UK Website

Find out more

College of Policing

Crown Prosecution Service

College of Policing

College Of Policing Website

Find out more

Pyramid of Hate and Prejudiced Attitudes

Pyramid of Hate

Prejudiced Attitudes

Please don't tag us in hateful posts.

We are here to prevent hate, not spread it.

Direct Message us if you need to alert us to hateful posts/propaganda online.

Prejudiced Attitudes

We are here to prevent hate, not spread it.

We won't respond to hateful posts, but we will report and document them, and use them to evidence the need for our work.

Reporting Hate

Prejudiced Attitudes

Reporting Hate

Please don't tag us in hateful posts.

We are here to prevent hate, not spread it.

Direct Message us if people need advice and support to tackle hate crime.

Hateful Posts

Advice & Support

Reporting Hate

Please don't tag us in hateful posts.

We are here to prevent hate, not spread it.

Direct message us if you need to alert us to hateful posts/propaganda online.

#ReportHate www.linktr.ee/reporthate

Hateful Posts

Advice & Support

Please don't tag us in hateful posts.

We are here to prevent hate, not spread it.

We won't respond to hateful posts, but we will report and document them, and use them to evidence the need for our work.

#ReportHate www.linktr.ee/reporthate.

Advice & Support

Please don't tag us in hateful posts.

We are here to prevent hate, not spread it.

Direct message us if people need advice and support to tackle hate crime

#ReportHate www.linktr.ee/reporthate

Hate Crime Reporting Cards

We distribute hate crime reporting cards to encourage reporting.

Hate Crime Leaflets

Hate Crime Reporting Cards

We design, produce and distribute Hate Crime Information leaflets to share information.

Hate Crime Links

Hate Crime Reporting Cards

Hate Crime Links

We encourage hate crime reporting through our Report Hate Linktree, website, social media and other resources.

We Promote Hate Crime Reporting

Report Hate Crime

Three Reporting Routes

We have a dedicated webpage which provides information about reporting hate crime.

Visit our Report Hate Webpage

Three Reporting Routes

The three main hate crime routes we promote are the police, local councils and independent third party organisations.

Three Ways To Report

Three Reporting Routes

Three Ways To Report

The three main ways you can report hate crime are in person, over the phone and online via the internet.

Your Local Police

101 For Non-Emergencies

Three Ways To Report

We have created a Linktree list of police, councils and independent third party advice and support organisations.

www.linktr.ee/reporthate

Find Your Local Police

999 In An Emergency

101 For Non-Emergencies

In an emergency call the police 999, they are the only service who can repond straight away.

www.linktr.ee/reporthate

101 For Non-Emergencies

If it is not an emergency you can contact the police using the non-emergency 101 number.

www.linktr.ee/reporthate

You Can Report Online

Speak To Local Councils

If you have access to the internent it may be quicker to report non-emergency hate crime to the police online via the True Vision website.

Report online via True Vision

Speak To Local Councils

If you don't want to talk to the police you could contact your local council - some councils facilitate hate crime reporting.

Your Local Council

Speak To Local Councils

Speak to 3rd Party Organisations

Check your local council's website to see if they facilitate hate crime reporting or signpost to local third party organisations.

Find Your Local Council

Speak to 3rd Party Organisations

If you don't want to talk to the police or your local council - you could speak to independent third party advice and support organisations.

3rd Party Organisations

Speak to 3rd Party Organisations

3rd Party Organisations

Check out our list of independent third party organisations on our Reporting Hate Crime webpage.

Find 3rd Party organisations

Report Hate Crime

Speak to 3rd Party Organisations

3rd Party Organisations

Check out the ReportHate Linktree that provides links to local police, councils and third party organisations.

linktr.ee/reporthate

Improving Operational Responses

Please use this contact form to share your thoughts & ideas about improving Operational responses!

1. Rapid victim referral system – Immediately connecting victims to legal and psychological support.

2. Hate crime investigation checklist – Structured guide for police to gather and document evidence efficiently.

3. Immediate community notification – Alerting local residents about the incident to prevent escalation.

4. Police liaison officers – Officers assigned to specific groups to maintain communication and trust.

5. Emergency mediation sessions – Quick mediation between affected parties to de-escalate tension.

6. Post-incident public briefing – Official statements to clarify events and prevent misinformation.

7. Victim safety planning – Personalized protection plans for victims after an incident.

8. Inter-agency coordination – Cooperation between police, schools, and community organisations.

9. Evidence preservation training – Training officers to safely preserve physical and digital evidence.

10. Debriefing and learning sessions – Post-incident analysis to improve future responses.

11. Hate crime case tracking system – Monitoring cases to ensure follow-up and closure.

12. Targeted patrol deployment – Temporarily increasing patrols in affected areas to maintain security.

Do you have ideas we could add to this list?

Improving Prevention

Please use this contact form to share your thoughts and ideas about Preventing hate crime!

1. Anti-bullying mentorship in schools – Pairing older students with younger ones to reduce aggressive behaviour.

2. Early warning signs training – Teaching young people and staff to recognize signs of escalating hostility.

3. Diversity and inclusion campaigns – Promoting respect and understanding of different cultures and identities.

4. Conflict resolution clubs – Student or youth clubs that practice peaceful conflict management.

5. Peer-led discussions – Facilitated peer conversations about discrimination and harassment.

6. Safe school zones – Clearly marked areas in schools monitored for safety and inclusivity.

7. Community pledges against hate – Residents commit publicly to reject discriminatory behaviour.

8. Positive behaviour role models – Highlighting local figures who exemplify tolerance and inclusion.

9. Parent awareness workshops – Educating parents on preventing bullying and fostering empathy.

10. Early online monitoring – Voluntary monitoring of online content to prevent cyber-hate escalation.

11. Inclusion in sports and recreation – Programs designed to integrate diverse groups through shared activities.

12. Local storytelling for empathy – Sharing stories that strengthen understanding across community divides.

Do you have ideas we could add to this list?

Improving Community Engagement

Please use this contact form to share your thoughts and ideas about community Engagement!

1. Community advisory boards – Boards of residents guiding local policy decisions.

2. Neighbourhood cultural fairs – Celebrations that showcase different cultural traditions.

3. Volunteer mentorship for newcomers – Helping immigrants integrate socially and culturally.

4. Resident-led safety patrols – Volunteer patrols that increase local safety without formal policing.

5. Intergenerational workshops – Bringing together youth and elders for mutual learning and dialogue.

6. Open town hall Q&A sessions – Residents interact directly with local officials to voice concerns.

7. Local project grants – Small grants for residents to develop initiatives improving community life

8. Community digital notice boards – Platforms for residents to share updates and local news.

9. Arts and crafts collaborative projects – Joint creative activities that reflect community values.

10. Neighbourhood buddy system – Pairing neighbours to provide mutual support and vigilance.

11. Interfaith youth councils – Youth groups from different faiths working together on social projects.

12. Recognition of community heroes – Highlighting individuals who strengthen local cohesion and inclusion.

Do you have ideas we could add to this list?

We promote our anti-hate crime charity

17-24-30

NationalHCAW

17, 24, and 30 represents the 17th, 24th and 30th April - the anniversaries of Brixton, Brick Lane and Soho.

www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw

NationalHCAW

NationalHCAW stands for National Hate Crime Awareness Week.

www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw

Our Aims

NationalHCAW

H.O.P.E. Campaign

We aim to bring people together, to say no to hate crime in our communities, and live in peace and harmony together.

www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw

H.O.P.E. Campaign

UK Hate Crime Network

H.O.P.E. Campaign

We facilitate an annual H.O.P.E. Campaign to promote Hate Crime Awareness.

www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw

UK Hate Crime Network

We facilitate the UK Hate Crime Network group on LinkedIn, a national network for the UK Hate Crime Sector.

www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw

Volunteers

UK Hate Crime Network

We involve volunteers.

www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw

Volunteer Refreshments

We prvide refreshments for our volunteers.

www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw

Hate Crime Packs

Volunteer Refreshments

We design, produce and distribute 300 Hate Crime Packs across London each year funded by MOPAC.

www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw

Hate Crime Stacks

Volunteer Refreshments

Facebook Fundraisers

We design, produce and distribute 15 Hate Crime Stacks for London police teams to distribute to local communities.

www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw

Facebook Fundraisers

You can support us by donating to our Facebook Fundrasiers.

www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw

PayPal Giving

Facebook Fundraisers

Rainbow Lottery

You can support us by donating via our PayPal Charity page.

www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw

Rainbow Lottery

Facebook Fundraisers

Rainbow Lottery

You can support us by purchasing lottery tickets via our Rainbow Lottery page.

www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw

We organise National Hate Crime Awareness Week

National Hate Crime Awareness Week

The national week aims to encourage the authorities (Government, Police and Councils), key partners and communities affected by hate crime to work together to tackle local hate crime incidents across the UK. www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw

National Hate Crime Awareness Week

We Google Map Hate Crime Activities

NationalHCAW Google Map

Green markers represent websites with hate crime information on our NationalHCAW Google Map.

www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw

NationalHCAW Google Map

Green markers represent websites with hate crime information on our NationalHCAW Google Map.

www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw

NationalHCAW Google Map

Green markers represent websites with hate crime information on our NationalHCAW Google Map.

www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw

Council Websites

Green markers represent websites with hate crime information on our NationalHCAW Google Map.

www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw

Council Websites

Hate Crime Articles

Red markers represent websites with no hate crime information on our NationalHCAW Google Map.

www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw

Hate Crime Articles

Black markers represent articles about the national week on our NationalHCAW Google Map.

www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw

Activity Markers

Register your Events

Purple markers represent registered hate crime activtities on our NationalHCAW Google Map.

www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw

Register your Events

www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw

Statement Markers

Register your Events

Submit your Statements

Blue markers represent Statements of Support for the national week on our NationalHCAW Google Map.

www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw

Submit your Statements

Email us your Statements of Support for the national week so we can add them to our NationalHCAW Google Map.

www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw

Hate Crime Directory

Submit your Statements

Hate Crime Directory

Hate Crime Projects

Submit your Statements

Hate Crime Directory

NO EXCUSE Campaign

NO EXCUSE Do You Check?

NO EXCUSE Hateful Behaviour

NO EXCUSE Don't Share It!

How often do you check your followers?

There is no excuse for hateful behaviour. We will regularly review and remove followers who share inappropriate behaviours and content.

Facebook Photo Album

NO EXCUSE Don't Share It!

NO EXCUSE Hateful Behaviour

NO EXCUSE Don't Share It!

If you see hate online - don't share it! Report it and help us get it taken down.

NO EXCUSE Hateful Behaviour

NO EXCUSE Disablist Behaviour

There is no excuse for hateful behaviour - You can help us report it and get it taken down.

NO EXCUSE Disablist Behaviour

There is no excuse for Disablist behaviour - You can help us report it and get it taken down.

NO EXCUSE Antisemitism

NO EXCUSE Disablist Behaviour

NO EXCUSE Antisemitism

There is no excuse for Antisemitism - You can help us report it and get it taken down.

NO EXCUSE Islamophobia

NO EXCUSE Disablist Behaviour

NO EXCUSE Antisemitism

There is no excuse for Islamophobia - You can help us report it and get it taken down.

NO EXCUSE CAMPAIGN 03

There is no excuse for Homophobic behaviour - You can help us report it and get it taken down.

NO EXCUSE CAMPAIGN 03

There is no excuse for Homophobic behaviour - You can help us report it and get it taken down.

NO EXCUSE CAMPAIGN 06

NO EXCUSE CAMPAIGN 03

NO EXCUSE Racist Behaviour

There is no excuse for Transphobic behaviour - You can help us report it and get it taken down.

NO EXCUSE Racist Behaviour

NO EXCUSE Xenophobic Behaviour

NO EXCUSE Racist Behaviour

There is no excuse for Racist behaviour - You can help us report it and get it taken down.

Our Report Hate Webpage

NO EXCUSE Xenophobic Behaviour

There is no excuse for Xenophobic behaviour - You can help us report it & get it taken down.

Our Report Hate Linktree

NO EXCUSE Sexist Behaviour

NO EXCUSE Xenophobic Behaviour

There is no excuse for Sexist behaviour - You can help us report it and get it taken down.

KEEP THE INTERNET HATE FREE - REPORT HATE

KEEP THE INTERNET HATE FREE

Keep the internet Hate Free. Report Hate. https://nationalhcaw.uk/report-hate-crime

Facebook Photo Album

KEEP THE INTERNET HATE FREE

Keep the internet Hate Free. Report Hate. https://nationalhcaw.uk/report-hate-crime

KEEP THE INTERNET HATE FREE

Keep the internet Hate Free. Report Hate. https://nationalhcaw.uk/report-hate-crime

KEEP THE INTERNET HATE FREE

Keep the internet Hate Free. Report Hate. https://nationalhcaw.uk/report-hate-crime

KEEP THE INTERNET HATE FREE

Keep the internet Hate Free. Report Hate. https://nationalhcaw.uk/report-hate-crime

KEEP THE INTERNET HATE FREE

Keep the internet Hate Free. Report Hate. https://nationalhcaw.uk/report-hate-crime

KEEP THE INTERNET HATE FREE

Keep the internet Hate Free. Report Hate. https://nationalhcaw.uk/report-hate-crime

KEEP THE INTERNET HATE FREE

Keep the internet Hate Free. Report Hate. https://nationalhcaw.uk/report-hate-crime

KEEP THE INTERNET HATE FREE

Keep the internet Hate Free. Report Hate. https://nationalhcaw.uk/report-hate-crime

KEEP THE INTERNET HATE FREE

Keep the internet Hate Free. Report Hate. https://nationalhcaw.uk/report-hate-crime

KEEP THE INTERNET HATE FREE

Keep the internet Hate Free. Report Hate. https://nationalhcaw.uk/report-hate-crime

KEEP THE INTERNET HATE FREE

Keep the internet Hate Free. Report Hate. https://nationalhcaw.uk/report-hate-crime

Hash Tags #NoPlaceForHate #SafePlaceForAll UK

#NoPlaceForHate

There should be No Place For Hate in the UK

www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw

#NoPlaceForHate

There should be No Place For Hate in the UK

www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw

#NoPlaceForHate

There should be No Place For Hate in the UK

www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw

#NoPlaceForHate

There should be No Place For Hate in the UK

www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw

#NoPlaceForHate

There should be No Place For Hate in the UK

www.linktr.ee/nationalhcaw