Check if you’ve experienced a hate crime or hate incident

Summary

* seen a hate crime or incident happen to someone else It’s worth reporting it to the police even if you don’t think it’s very serious. Sometimes small hate incidents can lead to more serious ones. For example, someone might start by making offensive jokes - but they could end up hurting someone. If you experience more than one hate incident by the same person or group of people, it’s worth reporting every incident to the police. You can get help and support from a hate crime support service, even if you don’t want to report the hate crime or incident. For example, they might be able to help you repair damage caused by a hate crime or refer you to counselling. Some hate crime support services can also report the hate crime or incident to the police for you - for example, if you don’t want to go to the police. Your details will be kept anonymous and you don’t have to have any contact with the police if you don’t want to.

Key information

• •experienced a hate crime or incident
• •seen a hate crime or incident happen to someone else
• •It’s worth reporting it to the police even if you don’t think it’s very serious. Sometimes small hate incidents can lead to more serious ones. For example, someone might start by making offensive jokes - but they could end up hurting someone.
• •If you experience more than one hate incident by the same person or group of people, it’s worth reporting every incident to the police.
• •You can get help and support from a hate crime support service, even if you don’t want to report the hate crime or incident. For example, they might be able to help you repair damage caused by a hate crime or refer you to counselling.
• •Some hate crime support services can also report the hate crime or incident to the police for you - for example, if you don’t want to go to the police. Your details will be kept anonymous and you don’t have to have any contact with the police if you don’t want to.

Practical guidance

• •Source: [Check if you’ve experienced a hate crime or hate incident](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/discrimination/hate-crime/what-are-hate-incidents-and-hate-crime/)

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