Hate related incidents

A hate-related incident is where you become a victim of any incident or prejudice because of your ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability. It may also be if you are targeted or selected because of your status, group characteristics or affiliation. You do not have to prove that the incident was motivated by prejudice; if you or any other person believes that it was, then it will be dealt with as a hate related incident.

A hate-related incident may be:

Any incident, which may or may not constitute a criminal offence, which is perceived by the victim or any other person, as being motivated by prejudice or hate.

Hate related incidents may take many forms. They can often be the same as any other form of anti-social behaviour, with the additional factor that it is motivated, or perceived to be motivated by prejudice or hate.

MHP takes a zero tolerance approach towards hate-related incidents. This will mean that all hate related incidents, however minor, are treated very seriously and will be investigated, without any suggestion that they are excusable. All reports will be treated in confidence, treated as high priority anti-social behaviour cases.

Because of the nature of hate related incidents, victims may find it difficult to report it to us or to the Police and in many cases perpetrators take advantage of this fact thinking that if they cause hate-related incidents then it won’t be reported. Consequently we have a number of ways that we hope will make it easier for you to report incidents to us such as online, by telephone, in person, by letter or through any third party

You should also report all incidents to the Police or for any advice and support, contact us or see our useful links section.

Download a copy of our hate-related incidents policy