Hate Crime

Hate crime is any criminal offence committed against a person or property that is motivated by an offender's hatred of someone because of their:

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

Hate crime can take many forms including:

• Physical attacks – such as physical assault, damage to property, offensive graffiti, neighbour disputes and arson.
• Threat of attack – including offensive letters, abusive or obscene telephone calls, groups hanging around to intimidate and unfounded, malicious complaints.
• Verbal abuse or insults - offensive leaflets and posters, abusive gestures, dumping of rubbish outside homes or through letterboxes, and bullying at school or in the workplace.

 

There are a number of ways to report Hate Crimes:

• Phone Dorset Police: 01202 222222.
• Call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
• Please go to the Dorset Police online reporting form to report hate incidents online to Dorset Police.

A Guide to Fighting Hate Crime| and a Hate Crime mini guide| are also available.

By reporting such incidents, even anonymously, it will help us to identify the issues in our community.