If you or someone else is in immediate danger or requires an emergency response, please call In immediate danger, call 999 immediately.
Information & support
Recognise It. Report It. Get Support.
Understand hate crime, recognise discrimination, know your rights and find organisations in Coventry and across the UK that can support you.
Recognise it
In England and Wales, the police and Crown Prosecution Service define a hate crime as any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person’s race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity — or their perceived race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity.
Any crime can be a hate crime. When someone is convicted, courts can increase the sentence because of the hostility shown.
A criminal offence, such as assault, threats, harassment or criminal damage, that is motivated by hostility or prejudice. Report it to the police.
Something that is not a crime but which the victim or anyone else thinks was motivated by hostility or prejudice, such as a hurtful comment or gesture. You can still report it — it helps police and partners understand what is happening in an area.
Being treated unfairly because of a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 — for example at work, in housing or by a service. This is usually dealt with through complaints, advice services, conciliation or the courts rather than the police.
Know your rights
The Equality Act 2010 protects people from discrimination because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. These are called protected characteristics.
Being treated less favourably than others because of a protected characteristic, such as race or religion.
A rule or practice that applies to everyone but puts people with a protected characteristic at a particular disadvantage, without good reason.
Unwanted behaviour linked to a protected characteristic that violates your dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.
Being treated badly because you complained about discrimination, or helped someone else to complain.
Racial discrimination covers treatment because of colour, nationality, citizenship, or ethnic or national origin. It can be open, or hidden in rules, assumptions and “banter”.
The examples below are fictional and for learning only.
Recruitment, pay, promotion, training, discipline, dismissal and how people are treated day to day at work.
Example: A worker is repeatedly passed over for shifts after asking for time off for a religious festival, while colleagues are not.
Volunteers without a contract are not usually covered by the Equality Act's work protections, but good organisations still have fair, inclusive policies. Get advice about your situation.
Example: A volunteer is told they cannot work on the reception desk "because of how they speak".
Admissions, how pupils and students are treated, access to activities, exclusions and support.
Example: A student with a disability is not given the reasonable adjustments they asked for during exams.
Renting, buying, letting agents and landlords, and how tenants are treated, including repairs and evictions.
Example: A caller is told a flat has "just gone" after giving their name, then a friend calls and is offered a viewing.
Shops, health services, councils, transport, banks and other services open to the public.
Example: A customer is followed around a shop and refused service, while others are served normally.
No one should have to surrender their dignity to receive help.
Report it
You can report a hate crime or hate incident even if you are not sure it is a crime, and you can report as a victim, a witness or on someone else's behalf.
To report something that has already happened. West Midlands Police also offers Live Chat on its website.
Report to the police online through True Vision, the official police hate crime site, or through your local police force.
If you would rather not go to the police directly, Coventry libraries and participating family hubs can give you information and help you report. You can ask to stay anonymous.
To report a crime anonymously, you can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, police forces accept calls through Relay UK (18001 101) and text relay. In Scotland, see mygov.scot(opens in a new tab).
Take the next step
It is not your fault. Whatever you decide to do next is your choice, and support is available at every step.
If you are in danger, move somewhere safe and call 999. Don't confront the person. Your safety matters more than evidence.
As soon as you can, note the date, time and place, what was said or done, a description of the people involved, and the names of any witnesses.
Save screenshots, messages, emails, voicemails and links (with dates). Photograph any damage or injuries. Don't delete anything, even if it is upsetting.
You don't have to cope alone. Talk to someone you trust, or contact a support service — you can get support whether or not you report to the police.
You can report to the police, report online, use a third-party reporting route, or get advice first. For discrimination at work or in services, there are strict time limits — get advice early.
Witnesses can make a real difference, both to the person targeted and to whether action can be taken.
Get support
Free and confidential services that can support you, explain your rights or help you report. Most can help whether or not you have been to the police.
Takes reports of hate crime and hate incidents. Call 999 in an emergency or 101 for non-emergencies, report online, or use Live Chat on the police website.
Who and where: Coventry, Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull. Outside this area, contact your local police force.
Information on hate crime in Coventry and how to report it. With your permission, reports can be shared with the council, social landlords and support groups.
Who and where: Coventry.
Free, confidential emotional and practical support for victims and witnesses of hate crime and hate incidents, including advocacy and support at court. You do not need to have reported to the police.
Who and where: West Midlands (including Coventry). Freephone and WhatsApp Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Independent charity offering free, confidential support to anyone affected by crime, including hate crime, whether or not it was reported to the police.
Who and where: England and Wales. Supportline and live chat are free and open 24/7.
Charity offering hate crime reporting and support services, and information about national organisations that can help.
Who and where: Its helpline only covers areas that fund it. Coventry and the West Midlands are not currently listed, so check the website before contacting, or use the other services here.
Free, independent and impartial advice, including on discrimination at work, in housing and in services.
Who and where: For the people of Coventry. Advice line Monday to Friday, 9am to 12:30pm. National guidance is on the Citizens Advice website.
Free information and guidance on discrimination and human rights issues, including how to resolve a problem. It does not give legal advice.
Who and where: Phone Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm. Textphone 0808 800 0084.
Free, impartial advice on workplace rights, including discrimination. Acas also runs early conciliation, which you usually must contact before making an employment tribunal claim.
Who and where: England, Scotland and Wales. Helpline Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (call charges may apply).
Free legal advice charity with a Coventry office. Contact them to check whether they can help with your issue.
Who and where: Coventry and Birmingham offices.
Details were checked in October 2026. Services and opening hours can change, so please check the organisation’s website before you contact them. For discrimination at work, an employment tribunal claim usually has to start within three months less one day, and you normally need to contact Acas first.
Look after yourself
Being targeted because of who you are can hurt in ways that are hard to put into words. Racism, discrimination and repeated hostility can affect people’s confidence, sense of safety, sleep, work and relationships, and over time can take a toll on mental and physical wellbeing.
People respond in many different ways. Some feel anxious, angry, ashamed, exhausted or on edge; some start avoiding places or people; some feel numb, or only notice the effects much later. All of these reactions are understandable.
It can also affect families, friends and whole communities who share the same identity. Talking to someone you trust, connecting with your community and getting support can help.
You deserve to be believed, treated with respect and supported.
Free NHS help for anxiety, low mood and stress, for people aged 16 and over. You can refer yourself online or by phone.
Free, confidential listening, any time of day or night.
If you need urgent help with your mental health, call 111 and choose the mental health option.
Victim Support and Remedi (see Where to get help) also offer emotional support after hate crime. You can also speak to your GP.
Learn more
Official guidance, reporting services and independent advice.
CovDiversity offers information, education and signposting. For a workshop or training on hate crime and inclusion for your organisation, get in touch.
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