Hate Crime
A hate crime is any criminal offence that you believe, or anyone else believes, is motivated by the offender's prejudice or hatred of you because of your age, disability, race or nationality, gender, religion or belief or sexual orientation.
It can take many forms including:
- Physical assault, damage to property, offensive graffiti, arson
- Verbal threats, offensive letters, abusive phone calls or text messages, intimidatory gangs, malicious complaints
- Offensive literature, abusive gestures, rubbish-dumping outside your home or through a letterbox, bullying at school or work
- Hoax calls, abusive phone calls or text messages, insulting or derogatory comments on social media (for example on Facebook or Twitter)
Reporting a hate crime
In an emergency
If the hate crime or incident puts you, your family or your property in immediate danger then call 999.
If you cannot make voice calls, you can now contact the 999 emergency services by SMS text from your mobile phone. However, you will only be able to use this service if you have pre registered with emergencySMS first. You can also use the textphone service 18000
- See emergencySMS for details
Non emergencies
- Phone the Police on 101
- Email the police on 101@gloucestershire.police.uk
- For advice and guidance contact Gloucestershire Constabulary's specialist officers at: hatecrime@gloucestershire.police.uk
Crimestoppers
If you do not want to talk to the police or fill in the reporting forms, you can still report a hate crime by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. You do not have to give your name and what you say is confidential. It is free to call. You can give them as little or as much personal information as you wish.
Reporting terrorist and extremist material
The internet is used by some people to promote terrorism and extremism. You can challenge and report terrorist and extremist content you find online, which you feel is offensive, or illegal. For more information about what makes online content illegal and how to report it.