Hate Crime
Inverclyde is a place where everyone is welcome, and Inverclyde Council is committed to tackling any form of hate against those living or working in Inverclyde or for those visiting the area.
What is classified a hate crime?
Hate crime is any crime motivated by prejudice against someone because of their actual or perceived:
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race, nationality, skin colour or ethnicity
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sexual orientation (refers to the gender or genders a person is attracted to)
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disability (including physical disability, learning disability, mental health difficulty and sensory impairment)
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religion (including sectarianism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and other forms of religious prejudice)
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transgender identity (refers to a person's gender identity, or expression, that differs from gender assumptions made about them at the time of their birth)
These groups are disproportionately affected by harassment and crime, often driven by prejudice. This not only impacts the individual but can also have a detrimental effect on the wider community. We all have a responsibility to make Inverclyde a safe place for all. If an incident is perceived by the victim or anyone else as being motivate by prejudice or hate, it should be reported as a hate crime.
How can I report a hate crime?
You can make a report as a victim, witness to or reporting a hate crime on behalf of someone else.
If it’s not an emergency (if there is no immediate risk to the wellbeing of the individual) you can call 101 and make a verbal report to the police or alternatively make an online report to https://www.scotland.police.uk/secureforms/hate-crime/
In the case of an emergency, always call 999.
What support is available for victims of hate crime?