Reporting hate crime
How you can report hate crime if you've been targeted and information about third party reporting centres.
Police Scotland takes hate crime very seriously and will do everything we can to bring those responsible to justice.
If you have been targeted because of your disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identity, or you are aware of someone else being targeted, we want you to report it.
Reporting hate crime is important. If you report it we can deal with it, we can try to prevent the same thing happening to someone else and together we can work to rid Scotland of hate.
We are committed to dealing with hate crime and take all reports of hate crime seriously.
How you can report hate crime
You can report hate crime:
- By phoning 999 (emergency) 101 (non-emergency)
- In person at any police station,
- By completing a Hate Crime Reporting Form
- At a Third Party Reporting Centre
- Text 999 (registered users only)
- Contact Scotland-BSL
- Keep Safe Scotland App
Third party reporting
In some cases victims and witnesses of Hate Crime do not feel comfortable reporting the matter directly to the Police, and may be more comfortable reporting it to someone they are familiar with.
To ensure anyone is able to report Hate Crimes, Police Scotland works in partnership with a wide variety of partners who perform the role of 3rd Party Reporting Centres. These partners have been trained to assist people in submitting a report to the police and can make such a report on their behalf.
Examples of 3rd Party Reporting Centres participating in the scheme range from Housing Associations to Victim Support offices and Voluntary Groups.
Coronavirus
Owing to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, a number of locations offering third party reporting opportunities are not open to the general public, however, many are providing members of the public with the choice of contacting them via telephone or email. In these instances, advice and support can be offered remotely.
Identify a third party reporting partner in your local area.
If you are interested in becoming a Third Party Reporting Centre, please email the Equality & Diversity unit.
To find out more information on hate crimes and hate incidents. What you can do if you, or someone you know, is a victim visit the Hate Crime page in our Advice and Information section.
