Hate crime

It is everyone's right to live without fear and harassment. At the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), we have specific policies tackling:

Domestic violence

Domestic violence occurs throughout society, amongst people of all ethnicities, sexualities, ages, disabilities, religions or beliefs. We recognise that both men and women can be victims. Although the majority of victims are women, taking action against domestic violence is included as part of the CPS Violence against Women Strategy. We will apply our domestic violence policy without discrimination in all cases.

Race and religious hate crime

Racist and religious crime is particularly hurtful to victims as they are being targeted solely because of their personal identity, their actual or perceived racial or ethnic origin or their actual or perceived belief or faith. These crimes can happen randomly or be part of a campaign of continued harassment and victimisation. We will not tolerate such crime.

Homophobic and transphobic hate crime

In the past, incidents against lesbian, gay or bisexual people, or against trans people, have been rarely reported and even more rarely prosecuted. Research studies suggest that victims of, or witnesses to, such incidents have very little confidence in the criminal justice system. The CPS is committed to addressing this problem, ensuring crimes against our LGBT communities are tackled properly.

Disability hate crime

Feeling and being unsafe or unwelcome from shunning or rejection to violence, harassment and negative stereotyping has a significant negative impact on disabled peoples sense of security and wellbeing. It also impacts significantly on their ability to participate both socially and economically in their communities. The CPS takes disability hate crime seriously.

Crimes against older people

Everyone has the right to feel safe and secure and to live free from the fear of crime. We know that feeling and being unsafe have significant negative impacts on older people's health and sense of well-being. Our policy, Prosecuting Crimes Against Older People, makes clear to older people, their families, communities and the general public that the CPS understands the serious implications of this type of crime.