11 minutes to read
Considerations before reporting
Quick guide to Reporting
Common considerations with reporting
The victim does not want to speak with the police, or is afraid of retaliation from the perpetrator
It’s okay to feel worried or uncertain about what will happen after reporting. You can tell victims that the police deal with these sorts of cases every day, will treat everybody fairly and equally, and will put your safety first. Alternatively, there are ways to make the report without needing to interact with the police or be identified, such as through third party reporting centres, or reporting anonymously (detailed below).
The victim is not comfortable with speaking in English
If the victim is not comfortable with speaking English, this may deter them from reporting the incident. You can help victims to report the crime by calling the police for them or accompanying them to the police station.
The police may also be able to provide an interpreter. You should advise the victim to request one to overcome any language barrier. Please make sure the interpreter has the right qualifications (a Diploma in Police Interpreting) and is qualified in the right language for the victim.
The victim does not want to speak with the police
If the victim is not comfortable speaking with the police, or would prefer to remain anonymous, there are ways to make the report without needing to interact with the police or be identified (see above):
- If your community centre is a third party reporting centre, then you can submit a report on their behalf.
- Alternatively, reports can be submitted anonymously via Crimestoppers or TrueVision (see below).
The victim is not comfortable being a witness or testifying in court
Some witnesses who feel intimidated or vulnerable, because they are young or disabled for example, and may need help giving evidence. In these cases, witnesses may be entitled to ‘special measures’. This could involve placing a screen between the witness box and the defendant or giving evidence with the help of a specialist.
For more details on your rights as a witness and the trial process, please refer to the Victim Support website.
The victim does not think the incident is serious enough or is worth reporting
The police strongly encourage the report of BOTH hate crime AND hate incidents. It is important to the whole community that it is acknowledged and reported.
Every report builds up a picture of what is really going on in your local area, showing patterns of behaviour against a certain group or by particular individuals. Reporting of the issue can:
- Help police adjust plans like where, when and how they deploy resources.
- Help local agencies like the police and councils understand the issue, so that they can educate, inform and protect everyone in the area.
- Build a more accurate statistical picture of the issue and inform prosecutors, legislators and raise awareness with the general public.
Even if you think your report might not lead to any immediate substantive results, it will benefit the wider community.
Ways to report and their pros and cons
1. Online reporting
What is this solution:
All hate crimes and incidents can be reported online using the True Vision platform. (estimated completion time: 10-20 min).
Why/when to choose this solution:
- Reporting online is the easiest and most effective way to capture information, and you should prioritise reporting online if not in an emergency
- The case will be dealt with by police professionals experienced with handling hate crimes and incidents
- Note that reports can be submitted anonymously
Do not report online if you are in an emergency:
- The offender is still present
- You think the offender may return
- You or anyone else is seriously hurt or in danger
In an emergency scenario, please call 999 directly.
2. Call the Police
What is this solution:
Reporting a crime over the phone directly to the police
- Call 999 if：
- The offender is still present
- You think the offender may return
- You or anyone else is seriously hurt or in danger
- Call 101 if the crime isn’t an emergency.
Why/when to choose this solution
- You would prefer to speak to someone over the phone
- If the crime is in progress
- The offender is still present
- You think the offender may return
- You or anyone else is seriously hurt or in danger
3. Visit local police station
What is this solution:
- Reporting by visiting your local police station.
- Details on how to contact your local police force can be found at the Police UK website.
Why/when to choose this solution:
- Report in-person if you have a local police contact, or if the crime is in progress or if someone is in immediate danger
- Note that in cases with no immediate threat or emergency, reporting in person may result in long waiting times
- Note that you may ask the police to provide an interpreter if the victim is uncomfortable speaking in English
4. Report it directly with British Transport Police
What is this solution:
- Reporting incidents on public transport directly to the British Transport Police
- Report by text: send message to 61016 to report a crime or incident
- Report online via British Transport Police website. (estimated completion time for online form: 10-20 min).
Why/when to choose this solution:
- Report through this channel if the hate crime or incident happened on public transport, such as buses, trams, trains, and the underground.
- Note that you can still report crimes that happened on public transport to the police. After receiving your report, the police will then forward your case to the British Transport. Therefore, reporting to the British Transport Police directly may help to speed up the process.
5. Third Party Reporting Centres
What is this solution:
A wide range of agencies are able to report hate crimes and incidents on the victims’ behalf and provide them with advice and support.
Examples include:
- Citizens Advice Bureau
- Stop Hate UK: provides confidential and independent reporting service in various areas in the UK, including a 24 - hour helpline.
- Community Voluntary Services
- Chinese Community Centres(link here)
To find out how Third Party Reporting Centres process claims, click here.
Why/when to choose this solution:
Use third-party reporting centres if the victim is uncomfortable speaking directly to the police, or would like to seek support tailored to their community (e.g. Tell MAMA for victims of Islamophobia, GALOP for victims of LGBTQ+ hate).
These organisations may also allow you to report anonymously.
National campaigns are underway to set up third party reporting centre for ESEAN community and we will update our resources once that happens.
6. Report Anonymously through Crimestoppers
What is this solution:
In addition to TrueVision and third party reporting centres, crimes may also be reported anonymously through Crimestoppers.
Report via the following methods:
- Phone: 0800 555111, it is free to call
- Report online via Crimestoppers UK website.
Information that Crimestoppers cannot process:
- Emergency
- If you are a victim of the crime
- Benefit fraud
- Scam emails or phone calls
- Untaxed vehicles
- Minor driving offences
- Dumped vehicles
- Noise complaints
- Fly-tipping
- Missing people
Why/when to choose this solution:
Choose this when the victim wants to pass details of a hate crime (or any other) offender but does not want to talk to the police at all
- The person will not have to give his/her name
- Everything said will remain confidential
- The victim will never have to appear in court
7. Social Media
What is this solution:
StopHate UK has compiled a comprehensive overview of online hate crime, and links for reporting online hate on major social media platforms. See Stop Hate UK website for more info.
Why/when to choose this solution:
Choose this if the crime or incident that has happened occurred online. This can include comments, posts, messages that contain hateful content.
How can the victim prepare for reporting
Before reporting
- Record details and keep evidence (Photos, videos or audio) of the incident.
- Write down all the step-by-step details of the incident as soon as you can including descriptions of the perpetrator(s), clothes they wore, any distinguishing marks, any nearby vehicles or witnesses, and anything they said such as homophobic/transphobic abuse or threats they made.
- Any physical evidence that the perpetrator has left behind, if safe to do so
- Take photographs of any damage to property or your belongings, such as graffiti, or damage to your car.
- If there are any witnesses, ask them for their contact details and ask them to write down what they saw, sign and date it, as soon as possible.
- Keep any evidence safe, such as clothing, photographs and letters/notes. If the perpetrator may have left fingerprints somewhere, do not touch the area, let the police know.
What questions might be asked?
Please note that not knowing the answer of particular questions does not prevent a person from making a report.
- Basic information of the victim and/or the reporter (Name, address, phone number, email, DOB)
- Information of the perpetrator
- Location of the crime
- Did it take place on public transport?
- What type of area was it (e.g. shopping mall, outdoors)
- Method of public transport? (e.g. bus, underground, tram, train, taxi)
- Journey details?
- What has happened?
- What suggests that the incident was motivated by hatred? (e.g. particular words or gesture used)
- Injury and damage:
- Was anything stolen?
- Was anything damaged?
- Was anyone threatened, verbally abused or assaulted?
- Evidence
- Has the suspect clearly left something at the scene; such as clothing, blood, any other bodily fluids, discarded items, obvious fingerprints or footprints? Or has the suspect caused any damage or made a mess searching?
- Are there any CCTV cameras if relevant?
- Does the victim have any photo, audio or video evidence?
- Does the victim know if any other persons or witnesses may have any evidence?
- Whether the victim is comfortable testifying/giving witness in court