Advice & Guidance
CRIME TYPE: SARS-21
Hate Crime
A hate crime is 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 race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or transgender identity — the five monitored strands in England and Wales. In the year ending March 2026, police in England and Wales recorded 146,825 hate crimes, a 7% rise on the previous year.
01
What counts
- Race, religion, sexual orientation, disability and transgender identity are the five monitored strands.
- A hate incident is behaviour perceived as motivated by hostility, even where no criminal offence is committed; hate crime is where an offence is also committed.
- Abuse online, by message or on social media is treated the same as abuse in person.
- Hostility can be shown through words, gestures, damage to property or violence.
- Where hostility is proven, courts can increase the sentence for the offence.
02
The impact
- Fear, anxiety and avoidance of public spaces.
- Repeat victimisation and isolation from the wider community.
- Harm that extends beyond the individual to whole communities and shared spaces.
- Under-reporting, which hides the true scale of the problem.
03
How to report
- 999 if a crime is in progress or someone is in danger.
- 101 or your local police force’s online form for non-emergencies; tell them why you believe it was targeted.
- Third-party hate crime reporting centres across Wales — Victim Support Cymru can report on your behalf without you contacting the police.
- Crimestoppers — 0800 555 111 (anonymous).
- Galop — 0800 999 5428, for LGBT+ victims of abuse and violence.
- Keep evidence: screenshots, messages, dates, times and any witnesses.
04
Support
- Victim Support Cymru — 0808 168 9111 (free, confidential, independent of the police).
- Samaritans — 116 123, free 24/7.
- You do not have to prove motivation — report what happened and why you believe it was targeted.
Want advice or guidance in person? Book an appointment at hello@sarscymru.org.uk.
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