What is hate crime?

If someone commits a crime or incident against you or your property because of your age, colour, sex, race, national origin, religion, sexuality, disability, political beliefs or refugee or asylum seeker status this is called a hate crime.

Being a victim of this kind of crime can be a particularly hurtful and a frightening experience as you have been targeted or victimised because of your personal identity, or because of who your attacker(s) has perceived you to be.

A victim of hate crime does not have to be a member of a minority community or someone who is generally considered to be a ‘vulnerable’ person. In fact, anyone could be a victim of a hate crime.

The impact on victims is different for each individual, but many may experience similar problems.  They can feel extremely isolated and fearful or either going out or staying at home.

Incidents of hate crime can take place anywhere – at home, in the streets, in the workplace or in schools and colleges. Incidents can include:

  • Threats
  • Verbal abuse
  • Physical assault
  • Offensive letters
  • Harassment
  • Bullying including cyber bullying
  • Arson
  • Robbery
  • Violence
  • Damage to property

These incidents can be committed randomly, or can be part of a campaign of continued harassment or victimisation by a stranger, customers, neighbours, extremists groups or even a family member.

What should you do if it happens to you or someone you know?

If you’re uncomfortable about going directly to the police, you can report an incident of hate crime anonymously and in strict confidence at a hate crime incident reporting site located across the borough.  You can discuss your experience with a specially trained person to complete a hate crime incident reporting form.  

For more information contact:

  • Waltham Forest Police on 020 8529 8666 or
  • Waltham Forest Direct on 020 8496 3000 and ask for hate crime reporting. Minicom 020 8496 3010
  • Or visit a hate crime incident reporting site

In an emergency call 999

Commonly asked questions about reporting hate crime

Don't suffer in silence- Report it

Contact us

Hate Crime
Safe and Strong Communities
Sycamore House
Waltham Forest Town Hall Complex
Forest Road
Walthamstow E17 4JF
tel 020 8496 3000
email communitysafety@walthamforest.gov.uk
web www.walthamforest.gov.uk/hatecrime