What is the difference between a Hate Incident and a Hate Crime?
A Hate Incident is:
Any incident which may, or may not, constitute a criminal offence, which is perceived by the victim, or any other person, as being motivated by prejudice or hate.
A Hate Crime is:
Any hate incident, which constitutes a criminal offence, perceived by the victim, or any other person, as being motivated by prejudice or hate.
The prejudice or hate perceived can be based on any identifying factor, including Disability, Race, Religion or Sexual orientation. This may include:
- Visual: Leaflets, Letters, Posters, Graffiti
- Physical: Hitting, Kicking, Spitting, Threats, Assault
- Verbal: Abuse, Harrassment
- Against Property: Damage, Theft
Hate Crime:
What is a Racist Incident?
Any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person.
What is a Homophobic Incident?
Any incident which is perceived to be homophobic by the victim or any other person.
What is a Faith Related Incident?
Any incident which is perceived to be based upon prejudice towards, or hatred of, the faith of the victim or so perceived by the victim or any other person.
What is a Disability Related incident?
Any incident which is perceived to be based upon prejudice towards, or hatred of, the victim because of their disability or so perceived by the victim or any other person.
The term 'incident' may or may not have a crime attached to it. All hate incidents should be reported and will receive attention depending on the severity of the incident.
Why should you Report a Hate Incident/Crime?
If you have personally experienced a hate crime or hate incident it is important that you report it. Without your reports we are not able to fully assess the true scale of hate crime across the county.
How can you Report a Hate Incident/Crime?
True Vision
In June 2005, West Yorkshire Police joined the True Vision initiative. It's aim is to improve the service the police provide to individuals targeted because of their Disability, Race, Religion or Sexual Orientation.
The True Vision packs provide you with a single self-reporting form and a pre-paid envelope. They contain a variety of information that will support you if you have been a victim or witness to a hate crime, or if you are reporting information on behalf of someone else.
The packs are available at Police Stations through the Hate Crime Co-ordinators, and they have also been distributed to a variety of pubs, clubs, libraries, community centres and community events.
An online reporting facility will be available at a later date.
What happens after you have Reported a Hate Incident/Crime?
All hate crimes/incidents are investigated thoroughly. Not all cases will be put before the court. When a hate incident is received the views of the victim are always considered.
Scrutiny Panels
West Yorkshire Police regularly hold scrutiny panels focusing on Hate crime investigations and stop and search procedures. Real life cases are selected for scrutiny and evaluated by the panel and their recommendations are acted upon as appropriate.
The monthly panels operating in every area of West Yorkshire are made up of local people and local police. The time of day for the meetings will be varied to ensure that potential panel members are not excluded due to work commitments. Scrutiny panels ensure openness in the Police's actions and increase public confidence in how we deal with Hate crime and stop and search.
For more information about becoming a Scrutiny Panel member, please write to:
Community Cohesion Unit, HQ Local Policing, PO Box 9, Laburnum Road, Wakefield, WF1 3QP
or email local.policingdept@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
Where can you obtain additional help if you have Reported a Hate Crime/Incident?
Please note - all of the links below are external links. Please read our External Links Disclaimer at the foot of the page.
Racist Incidents:
Homophobic Incidents:
Faith Incidents:
Disabilist Incidents:
More information on issues relating to the reporting, recording and investigation of hate crime/incidents is available from West Yorkshire Police, HQ Local Policing Department, Community Cohesion Unit:
- Community Cohesion Inspector - 01924 282150
- Community Cohesion Officer - 01924 282594
* Disclaimer :
Please note that by accessing the links above you will be leaving the West Yorkshire Police website. We are not responsible for the quality, accuracy or content of external websites.