Hate Crime – it’s not just offensive, it’s an offence
Hate crime is a crime which is committed against a person because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, transgender or disability.
Hate crime takes many forms. For example, it could be a person committing a verbal, physical or sexual assault against you, or someone making threats of violence towards you or damaging your property – because of your race, religion, sexual orientation, transgender or because you have a disability.
Hate crime can happen anywhere. It can happen at home, when you are on public transport, at work, when you are out socially or even online.
What is a hate incident?
A hate incident is an act that falls short of being a criminal act and is therefore not a criminal offence, but is still motivated by a hostility or prejudice based on any of the same characteristics.
What is a Mate Crime?
Mate crime is a form of disability hate crime.
Mate crime is where someone pretends to be friends with a person who is vulnerable (such as someone who has learning disabilities) but then goes on to take advantage, exploit or abuse them.
Mate crime is sometimes hard to identify because the offender is deemed a friend, carer or family member and using the relationship for exploitation. The vulnerable person is often unaware of the person's motives.
Please see the One Minute Guide on Mate Crime for practitioners:
How do I report mate crime, hate crime or a hate incident?
If you are worried that you or someone you know may be experiencing Mate Crime, Hate Crime or a Hate Incident please contact:
- in an emergency call 999
- for non-emergencies call 101
- call in at your local police station
- to report a safeguarding concern please call North Yorkshire’s Customer Service Team on 0300 1312131
- for support and advice contact Supporting Victims in North Yorkshire – supportingvictims.org
- report online to True Vision (opens in a new window)
- talk to a trusted friend, family member, support worker, social worker or teacher
All mate, hate crimes and incidents should be reported.
For further information, please visit North Yorkshire Police website
https://northyorkshire.police.uk/staying-safe/hate-crime/
For more information on support services available, please visit the following websites:
Supporting Victims in North Yorkshire – supportingvictims.org
Supporting Victims in North Yorkshire can provide support for anyone affected by crime, whether reported or not, including victims, bereaved relatives, parents or guardians of victims under 18 and members of staff where a business has been a victim of crime. They can provide a range of practical and emotional support but if necessary they can also help you access support provided by other organisations.
True Vision – report-it.org.uk
Tell MAMA – tellmamauk.org
CST – cst.org.uk
Galop – galop.org.uk
Inclusive Communities Joint Coordinating Group (JCG) for North Yorkshire and City of York
Hate Crime and Community Cohesion is a strategic priority for the Safer North Yorkshire Partnership. To ensure there is a coordinated approach across the county an Inclusive Communities JCG exists. It is made up of a wide range of organisations across North Yorkshire and City of York, whose remit is to oversee, coordinate and monitor multi-agency work at the local level. The Inclusive Communities JCG has produced a multi-agency action plan and meets every three months to monitor progress against the agreed action plan. The Inclusive Communities JCG works to the following objectives:
- To provide leadership and direction across the area on hate crime including the development and publication of a multi-agency action plan, which includes a multi-agency communications and engagement campaign.
- To provide a consistent and coordinated response across North Yorkshire and City of York.
- To ensure that hate crime is addressed as appropriate in other relevant strategic plans and strategies.
York and North Yorkshire Hate Crime and Community Cohesion ‘plan on a page’ 2025 – 28
The York and North Yorkshire Hate Crime and Community Cohesion ‘plan on a page’ 2025-28 sets out our shared vision and commitment to tackling hate crime and fostering safer, more inclusive communities.
Inclusive Communities JCG leads on the annual Hate Crime Awareness Week on behalf of Safer North Yorkshire and Safeguarding Boards for North Yorkshire and City of York.
The aim of the campaign is to:
- Promote the work of the Inclusive Communities JCG (formally the Hate Crime Working Group).
- Increase the reporting of hate crimes and low level community tensions, linking also to the Prevent agenda.
- Increase bystander intervention in a safe environment.
- Promote support services and projects available, both locally and nationally.
- Provide reassurance to those who may be subject to incidents of hate crime.
- Provide a consistent message to both partners and communities through an effective 'multi-agency' communication plan.
The North Yorkshire campaign will cover a number of topics throughout the week:
- What is a hate crime?
- How to report a hate crime/ mate crime.
- What is meant by 'active bystander' and how to become one.
- What local support services and projects are available.
- Training webinars for practitioners in Hate Crime Awareness, Prevent and Bystander Intervention.
Become a Hate Crime Champion
Become a hate crime champion and receive specialist training to recognise when a hate crime has taken place and equip you with the knowledge to provide initial support and signpost to appropriate support and reporting services.
The training will help you understand the impact a hate crime can have on a victim.
As a hate crime champion, you will….
Be visible and supporting presence within your organisation for colleagues who may want to discuss a hate crime or obtain advice.
Signpost colleagues to appropriate means of reporting and support services
Receive regular updates on what is being done to tackle hate crime in North Yorkshire
Be contacted by North Yorkshire Council and North Yorkshire police to share key messages regarding hate crime with you
Share key messages within your organisation
Ensure hate crime materials are displayed and available within your organisation.
For more details on how to become a hate crime champion contact Lesley.gray@northyorks.gov.uk
