Why understanding hate crime matters and what hate crime is and types of incidents. How to report a hate crime and where to get support.
Why understanding hate crime matters
Day to day, everyone has the right to feel safe: at work, at home, while socialising, whether they are in their community or in the wider city.
In October 2025, the BBC reported that Hate Crime had risen for the first time in three years, this is based on Government statistics.
What is hate crime?
In the UK a Hate crimes is a crime where someone is targeted because of hostility or prejudice towards that person’s:
- disability
- race or ethnicity
- religion or belief
- sexual orientation
- transgender identity
This can be committed against a person, verbal threats, physical attacks, harassment and intimidation and/or damage to property. More information can be found here: What is a hate crime?
A victim does not have to be a member of the group at which the hostility is targeted. In fact, anyone could be a victim of a hate crime. Someone may be targeted because they are perceived to be part of a protected group.
Hate crimes and incidents include:
- Being hit or physically assaulted
- Being called names or made fun of (including by text or on social media)
- Being threatened or intimidated
- Receiving abusive written communications
- Being harassed by neighbours or people in your community
- Having your property or possessions damaged or attacked
- Being taken advantage of or exploited
How to report a hate crime
The crown prosecution service:
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.”
Contact the police: Call 999 to report a crime that’s in progress or if someone is in immediate danger
If you feel the crime is not an immediate emergency but would like to report it, call 101 or on-line to the police: Avon and Somerset police report hate crime
Report to Crimestoppers
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, you will never have to give a statement to police, or go to court. Website: Crimestoppers Telephone: 0800 555 111 (free to call)
Start Safe Stay Safe App
Start Safe Stay Safe app is a 24 hour street harassment report and support app, tackling ‘Violence Against Women and Girls’ and ‘Hate Crime Prevention’ Strategies. The app allows user to report instantly, collect evidence, get support and remain anonymous. Download from Apple App Store or Google Play store. More information: Start Safe Stay Safe.
Where to get support
There are a number of organisations locally and nationally who can offer support.
The Bristol Hate Crime & Discrimination Services partners with various organisations to support victims of hate crime and discrimination within Bristol. More information: here
Bristol Mind the mental health charity offer support services: Bristol Mind community well being and hate crime services
SARI supports victims of hate and promotes equality and good relations between people with protected characteristics, as defined by law. SARI SARI charity
OTR is a mental health social movement by and for young people aged 11-25 living in Bristol: OTR
Resolve West aim to help people find ways to deal with difficult or frightening situations via conflict resolution services: Resolve West
British Muslim Trust provides confidential support and safe reporting for victims of anti‑Muslim hate across the UK. Via the website: British Muslim Trust
Bristol City Council information on hate crime: Bristol City Council Hate Crime
Bristol Law Centre offers free advice for people who have been discriminated against, for example: in the work place, as a customer, while using public services, renting property, in education (this may include school exclusions).
If you have been treated unfairly or less favourably from other people, this may be discrimination. You are protected from discrimination by law. Phone 0117 924 8662, Monday-Friday, 9:30am-4:30pm Bristol Law Centre
Other sources of support
SupportLine provides a confidential telephone helpline offering emotional support to any individual on any issue. The Helpline aims to support people before they reach the point of crisis. It is particularly aimed at those who are socially isolated, vulnerable, at risk groups and victims of any form of abuse: Support Line phone: 01708 765200 email: in**@*************rg.uk
Victim Support is the national charity giving free and confidential help to victims of crime, witnesses to crimes, their family, friends and anyone else affected. You don’t have to report a crime to the police to get their help. You can call any time after the crime has happened, whether it was yesterday, last week or several years ago. Victim Support Victim Support phone: 0808 16 89111 email: su*********@***************rg.uk (national services)
Bristol Victim Support services: Victim Support Avon & Somerset phone: 0300 303 1972.
Specialist organisations
Follow the link to find a list of different specialist organisations that can offer support: Report it – organisations that can help
📷 image credit Kelly Sikkema – Unsplash