Skip to main content
Menu

Hate crime

On this page

Introduction

Hate crimes can be committed against a person or property, and are crimes which the victim or any other person perceives to be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards any aspect of a person’s identity, namely:

  • Disability
  • Race or ethnicity
  • Religion or belief
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Gender Identity

A victim does not have to be a member of the group at which the hostility is targeted. In fact, anyone could be a victim of a hate crime.

Hate crime incidents may involve:

  • physical attacks
  • verbal abuse
  • domestic abuse
  • harassment
  • damage to your property
  • bullying
  • graffiti

A Hate Incident, which may or may not be a crime is any incident that the victim or any person perceives to be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards any aspect of a person’s identity. Hate incidents can often escalate to crimes and as such the police are concerned about incidents in addition to crimes, and these should be reported. The police can only prosecute when the law is broken, but can work closely with partners and other organisations to try and prevent any escalation in seriousness.

By reporting hate crimes and hate incidents, you may be able to prevent these incidents from happening to someone else.

Report a hate crime

Please note: in an emergency call 999

Report a hate crime in need of an immediate response

If you feel that the incident you have witnessed is in need of a response immediately then you can contact the Police by calling 999.

You can speak to the police in confidence, and do not have to provide your personal details, however any investigation is limited if the police cannot contact you. Contact can be made using the non-emergency number 101 or by visiting your local police station.

If you cannot make voice calls, you can now contact the emergency services by SMS text from your mobile phone. However, you can only use this service if you have first registered with emergency SMS.

Islamophobia statement

Councillors have agreed that Islamophobia has no place in Peterborough by adopting a special statement on the issue which is being promoted across the city.

At a meeting of the authority’s annual council on 19 May 2025, members unanimously agreed to support a statement which has been drawn up following work with partners.

The statement outlines that the council stands ‘firmly against Islamophobia in all its forms and manifestations’. It also states that Islamophobia has ‘no place in Peterborough and fundamentally erodes British values of respect, tolerance and liberty’.

We stand firmly against Islamophobia in all its forms and manifestations. Islamophobia not only perpetuates discrimination and marginalisation but also undermines the principles of equality, justice, and respect for diversity. Islamophobia has no place in Peterborough and fundamentally erodes British values of respect, tolerance and liberty.

Islamophobia is rooted in prejudice and racism devaluing not only Muslim communities, but wider society. Many Muslims face discrimination and disadvantage which can include, but not limited to:

  • Hate Crimes/Non-crime Hate Incidents: The rise in hate crimes targeting Muslims, including physical assaults, vandalism of mosques, and verbal abuse, reflects the spread of Islamophobic sentiment.

A non-crime hate incident is defined by the Government as ‘an incident or alleged incident which involves or is alleged to involve an act by a person (‘the subject’) which is perceived by a person other than the subject to be motivated - wholly or partly - by hostility or prejudice towards persons.

It is believed that hate crimes and hate incidents reports to police are under- reported due to either lack of knowledge about the process and/ or lack of trust in the process. Hence there is an urgent need to publicise the information of the reporting process and gain community trust in efficacy of the system.

  • Media Misrepresentation: Sensationalised media coverage and biased narratives contribute to the vilification of Islam and perpetuate harmful stereotypes, fostering an environment of fear and prejudice.
  • Acts of aggression where people or property – such as buildings, schools, places of worship and cemeteries – are selected because they are, or are perceived to be, Muslim(s) or linked to Muslims.
  • Online Extremism: The proliferation of online extremism and hate speech targeting Muslims not only radicalises individuals but also normalises Islamophobic attitudes and behaviours.
  • Microaggressions: Everyday microaggressions, such as stereotyping, racial profiling, and religious slurs, create hostile environments for Muslims and reinforce the insidious nature of Islamophobia in society.

We define Islamophobia as:

Fear of and/or prejudice against Muslims or perceived Muslimness whether be it due to expression or otherwise of their religion.

Direct or indirect act(s) of discrimination against Muslims either on individual basis or as a community due to their religion.

We must collectively challenge Islamophobia by promoting education, fostering interfaith dialogue, and advocating for inclusive policies that uphold the dignity and rights of all individuals, regardless of their religious beliefs. Together, we must strive to build a world where Islamophobia has no place, and where diversity is celebrated and respected.

Last updated: 28 May 2025