Hate Crime

Hatred is a strong term that goes beyond simply causing offence or hostility. Hate crime is any criminal offence committed against a person or property that is motivated by an offender's hatred of someone because of their:

• disability
• race
• religion or belief
• sexual orientation
• transgender.

Hate crime can take many forms including:

• physical attacks - such as physical assault, damage to property, offensive graffiti, neighbour disputes and arson
• threat of attack - including offensive letters, abusive or obscene telephone calls, groups hanging around to intimidate and unfounded, malicious complaints
• verbal abuse or insults - offensive leaflets and posters, abusive gestures, dumping of rubbish outside homes or through letterboxes, and bullying at school or in the workplace.

What Can The Police Do?

Unless you have been a victim of hate crime it is difficult to appreciate the distress it causes. It can destroy an individual's life, ruin families and damage communities. It is a serious and unacceptable crime and tackling it is a priority for West Mercia Police.

Investigation of hate crime is led by specially trained officers from the force's Public Protection Unit who are based locally and are committed to working with individuals, partners and communities to develop long term local solutions to local problems.

The service we provide starts when the initial call is received and all of our staff are expected to handle incidents sensitively and provide the right level of care. Front line officers and staff are often the key to the successful investigation, detection and prevention of hate crime offences.

We know that reporting such crimes can be difficult, however, and that's why are one of a growing number of police forces signed up to the national True Vision campaign.

How To Report Hate Crime

The police service has launched a new way for victims of hate crime to report hate crime online. The website, called True Vision, is supported by all forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and can be accessed at www.report-it.org.uk.

True Vision provides information for victims and the public about what hate crime is, why it is important to report it when it happens, and sets out the range of ways hate crimes can be reported, including via a new online reporting form. The site also provides links to organisations that can offer support and advice on hate crime related issues.

There are other ways to get help too.

If you believe you have been a victim of hate crime you can also report it to us by phoning 0300 333 3000 or visiting your local police station where True Vision packs are available. We  have specialist officers in each area who will sensitively investigate any incident you report. In an emergency you should always ring 999.