What is hate crime?
Hate crime is not restricted to criminal offences and can include non-crime incidents.
What constitutes a hate crime is very much victim-focused and can include what is perceived. Hate crime 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 person’s race or perceived 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.’ Source:
The victims’ characteristics are protected by the Equality Act 2010 and types of hate crimes can include, but are not limited to physical and verbal abuse, and incitement to hatred.
