Hate Crime

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 is a hate crime or hate incident.

What is a Hate Crime?

Hate crimes and hate incidents are taken to mean any crime or incident where the perpetrator's hostility or prejudice against an identifiable group of people is a factor in determining who is victimised (ACPO, 2000:13).  A hate crime or incident is any crime or incident which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person's actual or perceived social group or groups.

For the purpose of the strategy, the hate crime strands we will be focusing on are:  

• Disability
• Race
• Religion and belief
• Sexual orientation
• Transgender 

However, it is worth noting that malice or ill will towards a social group can be based on any identifying factor, including the above groups, but not exclusively.  Some people may experience hate crimes and incidents of more than one identifying factor, for example, a combination of race and disability factors.

It is important to note that some hate incidents may not constitute a criminal offence and therefore, will not be recorded as a hate crime, whereas all hate crimes are hate incidents.

Hate crimes and incidents can take many forms, including:

• Physical attacks
• Threats
• Verbal abuse
• Murder
• Neighbour disputes
• Arson
• Graffiti
• Intimidation or harassment
• Bullying at school, college or work
• Harassment by phone, text, email or through the internet (Cyber bullying)

Anyone can be affected by hate crime, and it can be a very frightening and traumatic experience. It can feel particularly personal as someone has targeted you because of who they think you are.

It is important to remember that if you have been targeted because of who someone thinks you are, even if it is not the case, this is still a hate crime. For example, you may have been verbally abused because somebody thought you were gay, even though you are not.

No hate crime is acceptable. We all have a right to live without fear, hostility and intimidation from others because of who we are.

Reporting Hate Crime

Hate crimes and incidents hurt; they can be confusing and frightening.

By reporting them when they happen to you, you may be able to prevent these incidents from happening to someone else.  You will also help the police understand the extent of hate crime in your local area so they can better respond to it.

Reporting makes a difference - to you, your friends, and your community.

Report hate crime online

True Vision (opens new window) is a national police scheme to help victims report hate crime online (average completion time: 15 minutes)

Report by phone

Call 101 - The police's national, non-emergency telephone number is staffed 24/7 to give you support and advice.

Visit a police station

If you'd prefer to speak to an officer in person, we can provide a safe and comfortable environment at any of our police stations.

Find a Lincolnshire Police Station (opens new window)

Alternatively, if you have information about a hate crime and you do not feel able to report this to the police you can pass the information on anonymously to CrimeStoppers (opens new window), by phoning 0800 555 111.

Report hate material you've seen online

If you've seen something on a website or social media that promotes hatred or violence against a particular group, use Lincolnshire Police's online form to report it.

Report Hate Crime to Lincolnshire Police (opens new window)  (average completion time: 15 minutes)

Support

If you've been the victim of crime, support is available, whether you choose to report the crime to the police or not and regardless of when or where the crime happened.

Victim Lincs

Victim Lincs are specially trained to provide free, confidential advice and guidance if you have been the victim of crime. We can discuss the different support options available to you, and make referrals to specialist coping and recovery services, should you need it. They can: 

·       Inform: Answer any queries or concerns that you may have, as well as provide practical advice and information

·       Support: Discuss the support options available and, should you need further support, make a referral to the specialist service most suited to you

·       Listen: Victim Lincs are independent to the police, so anything you tell them will be in confidence (unless there is a risk of harm to yourself or others, or where there is a legal requirement

Contact information

• Telephone: 01522 947 510 (8am-4pm, Monday to Friday)
• Website: Victim Lincs Hate Crime webpage (opens new window)
• Victim Support 24 hour Supportline: 08 08 16 89 111
• Victim Support 24/7 live chat service (opens new window)
• Victim Support contact using BSL (opens new window) 
• Victim Support - My Support Space: Access a range of tools to help you cope and move forwards after crime in your own time and at your own pace. My Support Space is also available for those supporting someone after they've experienced crime or trauma, for example friends, family members, colleagues or neighbours.

Hate incidents and hate crimes can affect individuals, families as well as communities. The Hate Crime Strategy below outlines how this is tackled in Lincolnshire.