If you have just been a victim of a hate crime, you may feel the need to talk to someone about it. There are many welfare-related support options available; see our page on Other Support for more information on the choices available.
If you do want to report it, you don't have to report it to the police. If you don't want to report it, that is entirely up to you – but the more people that report hate crime, the more we will understand patterns and the better we will be able to combat prejudice in all its forms.
Also, you don't have to have been the victim of a hate crime to report it - if you saw something happen on the street, then you can report on behalf of the stranger.
Finally, it is worth reiterating that if you report a hate crime, the police don't have to get involved... it only goes as far as you want it to.