Cambridgeshire Constabulary and our partner agencies serve a diverse community. We also recognise that everyone should be allowed to live their lives free from harassment and the fear of crime. We understand the effect this type of incident can have on the victim, their families and the wider community and because we understand, it enables us to deal effectively with it and its causes.

A Hate Incident is defined as:

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 defined as:

Any hate incident, which constitutes a criminal offence, perceived by the victim or any other person, as being motivated by prejudice or hate.

In either case it is important that the matter is reported. The report can be made by anyone and not just by those affected – anyone can report it.

Hate crime can be motivated by prejudice about:

• Race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality or national origins (including prejudice against Gypsy’s and Travellers
• Religion and faith (including no faith)
• Gender or gender identity often referred to as transphobia – resentment or fear of transgender people, transsexuals or transvestites
• Sexual orientation including homophobia, the resentment or fear of gay, lesbian and bisexual people
• Disability (including sensory, physical or mental impairment or learning difficulties)
• Age

Hate crime can take many forms including:

• Physcal attacks such as physical assault, damage to property, offensive graffiti, neighbour disputes and arson
• Threat of attach including offensive letters, abusive or obsence phone calls, unfounded, malicious complaints, groups hanging around to intimidate, dirty looks and intimidating stares.
• Verbal abuse or insults and abusive gestures
• Other abuse, such as offensive leaflets and posters, the dumping of rubbish outside homes or through letterboxes, theft or fraud, bullying at home, online, at school or in the workplace.

How do I report Hate crime and incidents?

The easiest and quickest way is to call Cambridgeshire Constabulary directly on 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.

Alternatively you can use our online hate crime reporting form which can be found here.

For deaf or hard of hearing call the MINICOM helpline on 01480 422493

RNID TypeTalk is a national telephone relay service which enables, deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing and speech impaired people to communicate, to access the service dial: 0800 515152

You can also report hate crime in person at your local police station.

OPEN OUT

The Open Out scheme is a third party reporting service that offers information, advice and support to victims of hate crime.

They can be contacted on 01223 823552 between 9am and 5pm. Outside of this time leave a message and you will receive a reply as soon as possible.

Crimestoppers, an independent charity where you can give information anonymously about crime, - 0800 555 111

Cambridgeshire Constabulary does not tolerate hate crime, and we urge you to report all incidents. The more information we can gather, the more we know about these crimes and who commits them, the better we can work together to stamp out hate crimes.