Report Hate Crime
What is hate crime?
Hate crime can take many forms, and can fall under the four criminal offences of criminal damage, harassment, assault and public order.
These four offences can affect all six strands of diversity; however Thames Valley Police pay particular attention to the effects of hate crime on people who have a disability, members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community, different ethnic groups and members of different faith groups.
Anyone can be a victim of a hate crime.
How do the Police record hate crime?
Police record hate crime by classifying it as an incident which is recorded and forms part of an investigation by an officer. If there is evidence of a criminal offence the incident will be re-categorised to a hate crime.
Thames Valley Police use the following definition to highlight hate crime incidents: "A hate incident is any incident, which is perceived to be a hate incident by the victim or any other person"
If during the recording and investigation of the incident a criminal offence is uncovered the potential sentencing of the offender may be more severe.
How will the Police deal with a complaint?
Thames Valley Police will:
- deal with incidents and complaints promptly and sensitively
- respect the victims views and treat them professionally
- inform and work with the Community and Diversity Officer during the investigation.
- keep the victim informed of any progress and the outcome of a complaint
- Reporting Hate Crime
If you are unable to report the complaint to the Police directly using 999 in an emergency and 0845 8 505 505 in a non-emergency, then you can also report complaints at third party reporting centres.
To find out where your nearest reporting centre is, please contact Thames Valley Police Community and Race Relations officers, their details can be found by going onto Thames Valley Police website, http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/crprev-pers-hatecrime-report, or by calling 0845 8 505 505.
