Hate Crime Awareness Week returns in October

National Hate Crime Awareness Week will take place from 10 to 17 October, with organisations across the country encouraging people to recognise and report hate crime.

The week is organised by the charity 17-24-30 National Hate Crime Awareness Week, which was set up to remember the victims of the London nail bombings in April 1999, and supported by police forces, councils, faith groups and charities.

What is a hate crime?

A hate crime is any criminal offence that the victim or anyone else believes was motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person's race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or transgender identity. It can include physical attacks, threats, harassment, damage to property and abuse online.

A hate incident is something that is not a crime but is still motivated by prejudice, such as name-calling. Hate incidents can also be reported, because they can build up into more serious behaviour.

How to report it

If you are in immediate danger, call 999. Otherwise, you can report to the police on 101 or online.

You can also report through True Vision, the national online reporting site run on behalf of the police, or through third-party reporting centres, which are run by community organisations for people who do not want to go directly to the police.

Crimestoppers takes anonymous information on 0800 555 111.

Support for victims

Victims of any crime can get free, confidential support from victim support services, whether or not they have reported the crime to the police. Specialist organisations support people affected by particular kinds of hate crime, such as Tell MAMA for anti-Muslim hatred and the Community Security Trust for antisemitism.

Birmingham's diversity

Birmingham is one of the most diverse cities in Europe, with communities from all over the world. Community groups, faith leaders and the council work together throughout the year to bring people together, and events during the week will aim to celebrate that diversity while standing up against hatred.