Report a hate crime

How to report a hate crime 

If you have been a victim of a hate crime, report it by:  

• calling 999 if someone is in immediate danger, the person responsible is still nearby, or someone has been injured
• reporting it to the police online
• calling 101 if it is not an emergency
• contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you want to report anonymously

What happens after you report a hate crime  

After you report a hate crime, the police will give you a crime reference number. They will assess the situation and decide what to do next. 

A police officer may contact you to ask for more information. Response times can vary depending on the seriousness of the incident and police demand. 

The police may gather evidence, such as witness statements and CCTV footage. 

If there is enough evidence, the police may take action against the person responsible. This could include an arrest, caution or prosecution. 

If there is not enough evidence to take further action, the case may be closed. Your report will still be recorded and may help future investigations. 

You can also report the incident to the organisation responsible for the place where it happened. For example: 

• a school, college or university 
• your employer 
• a housing provider or landlord 
• a transport operator 

Reporting through more than one route can help organisations take action and make sure you get the support you need.