Hate crimes

A hate crime is any incident where you or someone else has been targeted because they or you are believed to be different, or it is any incident you believe was motivated by:

• Race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality or national origins

• Religion or faith - gender or gender identity

• Sexual orientation or sexual identity

• Disability

Incidents may involve:

• Verbal abuse

• Harassment

• Attacks

• Damage to your property

• Bullying or graffiti

• Physical assault

• Intimidation

All hate crime is important. No hate crime is too minor to report to the police. Anyone can be the victim of a hate crime. We all have a racial identity, all have a sexual orientation, all have some sort of beliefs. Any one of us could be targeted because of some aspect of our identity. Tackling hate crime supports each and every one of us.

Hate crime is different to other forms of crime:

• Hate crime targets people because of their identity. It is a form of discrimination that infringes human rights and keeps people from enjoying the full benefits of our society

• Research has shown that hate crimes cause greater psychological harm than similar crimes without a motivation of prejudice

• Hate crime creates fear in victims, groups and communities and encourages communities to turn on each other

Report it

Hate crime can be confusing and frightening. By reporting it, you may be able to prevent these crimes from happening to someone else. You can report hate crime online (opens in a new window) or in an emergency phone the police on 999.

You can also view the British Sign Language Video (opens in a new window) on how to report a hate crime.  

If you do not feel able to report a hate crime directly to the police you can also report it to one of our hate crime reporting centres. The following organisations are reporting centres:

• Dorset County Council and the local District/Borough council offices

• If you are a Magna, Sovereign or Hastoe housing tenant you can drop in to one of their local offices

• Victim support has a telephone reporting line on 01202 606200

• Dorchester Citizen's Advice Centre on 0845 231 0400

• Weymouth College call 01305 761100

• The Verne Prison (for people visiting the prison)

• Dorset Race Equality Council (for race related hate crimes/incidents) call 01202 553003 or email enquiries@dorsetrec.org.uk

If you have experienced hate crime and would like some help and support please contact our BME or faith related helpline on 01305 266 633 or the LGBT helpline on 01305 266 642.