Police Encourage Online Reporting of Hate Crimes

Strathclyde Police is encouraging victims and witnesses of hate crime to report such incidents via a brand new online reporting system.

The online system has been designed to encourage more victims and witnesses to report incidents remotely and was launched on Friday 5 June 2009.

How it works

From today, anyone who perceives that their race, gender, religion, sexual preference or disability has been a motivating factor in a crime can report the crime via any computer in any location in a bid to speed up the reporting process and to give people further confidence to report any such incident.

Why report online?

The idea behind this is to increase the number of methods available to people so as to proactively encourage them to report incidents with elements of discrimination, whether it’s verbal abuse, harassment or a violent attack.

The decision not to report a crime is often linked to an individual’s emotions, and/or perceptions. Accessibility to, and proximity to, police stations are also determining factors.

The online form can be completed either by the victim/witness or by staff at a third party reporting centre on their behalf and can be done anonymously. The completed form will be immediately e-mailed to a dedicated mailbox and passed on to the relevant police division for their information and investigation.

Remote reporting centres

Remote reporting already exists and is usually done through a partnership of relevant specialist agencies. It offers victims/witnesses of hate crime the chance to report incidents in a confidential and supportive environment.

Specially trained individuals who are not police officers take down the basic details and then pass agreed information on to the police. This has helped to assist where there is difficulty dealing directly with the police and can help allay fears or prejudices. All reports, whether made via the on line system or through dedicated third party reporting centres, can be made in confidence, and anonymously if preferred. Victims will also, if requested, be referred to the relevant support agencies.

Enabling you to contact us

Assistant Chief Constable (Community Safety and Criminal Justice) Hamish Cormack said:

“I am aware that crimes of this nature can often go unreported as some people may not want to visit a police office or speak to a police officer. No-one should suffer hate crime and feel helpless to do anything about it.

“Most people have access to computers these days either at home or through internet cafes. The online system is another tool to encourage people to contact the police should they become a victim of hate crime.

“I hope it enables more people to contact us in a way that they feel comfortable so that crimes can be dealt with appropriately and so that victims get the help and support which may be needed to deal with the issue.”

Strathclyde Police urges anyone who has been the victim of a hate crime to report it, either online, via third party reporting centres or directly to your local police office.

Anyone who wishes to use the online reporting facility can do so by visiting our report hate crime section.