Hate Crime

Types of Hate Crime

Hate crime can fall into one of four main types: physical assault, verbal abuse, incitement to hatred and criminal damage.

Physical assault

Physical assault of any kind is an offence. If you’ve been a victim of physical assault you should report it. Depending on the level of the violence used, a perpetrator may be charged with common assault, actual bodily harm or grievous bodily harm.

Verbal abuse

Verbal abuse, threats or name-calling can be a common and extremely unpleasant experience for minority groups.

Victims of verbal abuse are often unclear whether an offence has been committed or believe there is little they can do. However, there are laws in place to protect you from verbal abuse.

If you’ve been the victim of verbal abuse, talk to the police or one of our partner organisations about what has happened. You’ll find a list of them on our How to report hate crime page.

Even if you don’t know who verbally abused you, the information could still help us to improve how we police the area where the abuse took place.

Incitement to hatred

The offence of incitement to hatred occurs when someone acts in a way that is threatening and intended to stir up hatred. That could be in words, pictures, videos, music, and includes information posted on websites.

Hate content may include:

• messages calling for violence against a specific person or group
• web pages that show pictures, videos or descriptions of violence against anyone due to their perceived differences
• chat forums where people ask other people to commit hate crimes against a specific person or group

Reporting an Incident

Individuals can report incidents to the police by calling 101 (or 999 in an emergency), visiting a police station, or submitting a report online.

For those who do not wish to speak directly to the police, reports can also be made anonymously to Crimestoppers, or through the local authority.

Support With Making a Report

The following organisations offer advice, support, and alternative ways to report incidents without needing to contact the police directly:

• East Sussex Safer Communities Partnership – Provides help and guidance regarding antisocial behaviour and hate incidents.

• Brighton & Hove City Council – Offers local reporting and support services.

• West Sussex County Council – Provides information, support and reporting options for local residents.

Accessibility – Hearing or Speech Impairments

People with hearing or speech impairments have several ways to report incidents:

• emergencySMS service (for those who have pre-registered). Use the Textphone service 18000 or by texting 999

• 999 BSL, a service that allows individuals to contact emergency services using a British Sign Language interpreter

Reporting Hate Crime

Anyone can:

• Report a hate crime directly to the police

• Access support to help them make a report

Guidance is available for those unsure whether an incident qualifies as a hate crime. Reports may include online hate, in-person incidents, or planned marches and events.

Hate crime can also be reported:

• Anonymously to Crimestoppers

• Through the local authority for residents of Brighton & Hove or West Sussex

National Support Organisations

• Crimestoppers – A national charity offering a free, anonymous crime-reporting helpline.

• Tell Mama: Report in Anti-Muslim Hate or Islamophobia Supports victims of anti-Muslim hate and records anti-Muslim incidents.

• Community Security Trust (CST) – Protects British Jewish communities from antisemitism and related threats.

• Galop – A national charity providing advice and support to members of the LGBT+ community.

Support is available for all victims of hate crime. Specialist organisations also offer tailored assistance, including services for LGBT communities, faith groups, and individuals targeted because of their race, disability or other protected characteristics.

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard

Listening service / helpline for LGBT+ people. Also signposts to domestic abuse help, older people’s groups, trans and non-binary services, bereavement, etc.

Helpline: 01273 204 050 (open Tue–Thu, 7–9:30pm) Lewes Eastbourne Council
Email via their website: switchboard.org.uk

RISE 

Specialist domestic abuse support including an LGBT* service. Counselling, drop-ins, casework, support through legal/civil processes, support for children & young people

Telephone: 01273 622 822

National Support Organisations

Crimestoppers - A national charity offering a free, anonymous crime-reporting helpline.

Tell Mama: Report in Anti-Muslim Hate or Islamophobia Supports victims of anti-Muslim hate and records anti-Muslim incidents.

Community Security Trust (CST) – Protects British Jewish communities from antisemitism and related threats.

Galop – A national charity providing advice and support to members of the LGBT+ community.

The following resources have been created by Victim Support to support you if you have been a victim of a hate crime: