Full information regarding hate crimes and incidents, can be found in the Council's Hate Crime and Hate Incident Guidance Notes.
The Home Office defines a hate crime as a crime committed against someone because of their disability, gender identity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
Hate crimes can include:
- threatening behaviour
- assault
- robbery
- damage to property
- inciting others to commit hate crimes
- harassment
- online abuse
Reporting a hate crime
In an emergency, where life is in danger or a crime is in progress, call 999.
You can report the incident at your local police station or call Staffordshire Police on the non-emergency number 101.
You can also contact Victim Support, which is an independent national charity where staff and volunteers are trained to provide emotional support and practical assistance. Anyone affected by crime can contact Victim Support for help, regardless of whether they have reported the crime to the police or how long ago the crime took place. Victim Support line: 0808 1689111.
Uniting Staffordshire Against Hate (USAH) is a free and confidential support service providing information and emotional and practical support to all victims of Hate driven crime or incidents, who either live in Staffordshire or were targeted when visiting the area on more than two occasions. To access support you do not need to have reported this to the police.