Crime reduction 

Hate crime

Hate crime is any criminal offence committed against a person or property that is perceived by the victim or any other person as being motivated by an offender's prejudice or hatred of someone because of their:

• Race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality or national origins.
• Religion.
• Gender or gender identity.
• Sexual orientation.
• Disability.

Thames Valley Police defines a hate incident as ‘any incident which is perceived to be a hate incident by the victim or any other person’.

Anyone can be a victim of hate crime. The typical hate crime offender is a young, white male. Most homophobic hate crime offenders are aged 16-20, and most race hate crime offenders are aged under 30.

Most hate crimes happen near to the victim's home. Most hate crime offenders live in the same neighbourhood as their victims. A hate crime offence is most likely to be committed between 3pm and midnight.

Examples of hate crime

Hate crime can take many forms. It can fall under the criminal offences of criminal damage, harassment, assault and public order.

• Physical attacks – such as physical assault and criminal damage.
• Threat of attack – including offensive letters, and abusive or obscene telephone calls.
• Verbal abuse – such as offensive leaflets and insulting gestures.