A hate crime is a criminal offence which has been perceived by the victim as having been motivated by some form of prejudice or hate.
Hate crimes can be motivated by prejudice about:
- Race, skin colour, ethnic origin, nationality (including against gypsies and travellers)
- Religion and faith (or lack of religious belief)
- Gender identity (including resentment of transgender people, transsexuals and transvestites)
- Sexual orientation (including homophobia)
- Disability (including physical disabilities, sensory impairments, learning disabilities and mental health issues)
Crimes that are often committed as hate crimes are:
- Physical attacks such as assaults
- Vandalism, criminal damage, graffiti or arson
- Verbal abuse or abusive gestures
- Cyberbullying
- Offensive letters or text messages (hate mail)
- phone calls
- Offensive leaflets and posters
- Threats of an attack
If an incident has occurred which is motivated by hate or prejudice but is not necessarily a criminal offence, then it is known as a hate incident.
Although hate incidents are not criminal offences, they are still a serious matter
and should be reported.