A hate crime is when someone commits a crime against you because of your disability, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, religion, or any other perceived difference. It is defined as any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a persons race; religion or perceived religion; sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation; disability or perceived disability and any crime motivated by hostility or prejudice against a person who is transgender or perceived to be transgender.
Abuse and violence is not acceptable. If you or someone you know is a victim, report it and get help.
Call 999 if a crime is happening now or you're in immediate danger.
If you can’t use a voice phone, you can register with the police text service – text REGISTER to 999. You will get a text which tells you what to do next. Do this when it is safe so you can text when you are in danger.
If you need urgent police help through the 999 service but cannot speak call 999, you will be connected to a phone operator who will ask which service you need.
On a mobile:
On a landline phone:
How to report it if you are not in immediate danger:
You should report all hate crime, whether you’re the victim, a witness or are making the report for someone else. Some of Bristol's communities are at risk of under-reporting hate crime, due to a number of barriers, including language and cultural barriers. Avon and Somerset Police have been working with partner agencies and communities to create informational videos in Urdu, Punjabi, Arabic and Somali.
Bristol Hate Crime and Discrimination Services are a group of six partner organisations brought together to provide a complete service for victims of hate crime in Bristol. They can support you if yourself or someone you know has experienced hate crime. It is led by SARI (Stand Against Racism and Inequality), together with Brandon Trust, Bristol Mind, Off the Record, Resolve West and Bristol Law Centre. You can report a hate crime to Bristol Hate Crime and Discrimination Services using their online form. You can also speak to someone by calling 0800 171 2272. Calls are free and the phone line is open 24/7.
SARI provides free and confidential support for anyone who is a victim of hate crime. Whether that’s based on race, faith, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or sex. They also work to build greater understanding and respect for diversity and difference within our community. To contact SARI, call 0117 942 0060 or email sari@sariweb.org.uk.
