If you think you, or someone you know, has fallen victim of a hate crime please report it.
In the event of an emergency call 999.
For a non-emergency visit Cambridgeshire Police website to submit an online report, or call 101.
Alternatively, you can report hate crime at one of the district’s third party reporting centres:
East Cambridgeshire District Council offices at The Grange, the Lighthouse and the Kite Trust
Or online at True Vision
Hate crime is the term used to describe an incident or crime against someone based on a part of their identity.
The law recognises five types of categories of hate crime on the basis of:
Hate crimes are covered by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and Section 66 of the Sentencing Act 2020.
A hate crime is defined as '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 race or perceived race; religion or perceived religion; sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation; disability or perceived disability and any crime motivated by hostility or prejudice against a person who is transgender or perceived to be transgender.'
Although there is no legal definition of hostility, the everyday understanding of the word is used which includes ill-will, spite, contempt, prejudice, unfriendliness, antagonism, resentment and dislike.
Not all hate incidents will amount to criminal offences, but it is equally important that these are reported and recorded by the police.
Evidence of the hate element is not a requirement. You do not need to personally perceive the incident for it to be hate related. It would be enough if another person, a witness or even a police officer thought that the incident was hate related.
There are three main types of hate crime; physical assault, verbal abuse and incitement to hatred.
Physical assault of any kind is an offence, which should be reported. Depending on the level of violence used, a perpetrator may be charged with common assault, actual bodily harm or grievous bodily harm.
Verbal abuse, threats or name-calling can be common and an equally unpleasant experience for minority groups.
The offence of incitement to hatred occurs when someone acts in a way that is threatening and intended to stir up hatred. That could be in words, pictures, videos or music and includes information posted on websites.
Example of hate content may include:
Firstly, remember that the attacker(s) made the choice to commit a hate crime, so it is their fault that it happened, not yours.
There are a few things you can do to make you feel safer, and be safer:
The following organisations can offer support and advice if you have been the victim of hate crime:
Charity that works with all people affected by crime in England and Wales. This includes victims, witnesses, their family and friends.
Charity that works to challenge all forms of hate crime and discrimination and provides confidential reporting and support.
This is a confidential 24-hour support service for young people under 18.
A confidential and free online and phone counselling service for those aged under 19 anywhere in the UK, available by phone on 0800 1111 and online.
If you have information about people who commit hate crimes and do not want to talk to the police, you can contact CrimeStoppers anonymously. You do not have to give your name and you will never have to give a statement to the police, or go to court. You can telephone CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111.
Many other organisations can be found on the True Vision website.