Police Urge Community to Report Hate Crime and Support Victims

This week is Hate Crime Awareness Week and the PSNI are urging communities to stand together to challenge and report hate crime and hate incidents.

Chief Superintendent Sue Steen, who leads on hate crime for the PSNI, said that in a modern and diverse society, any act of hatred or intolerance is entirely unacceptable. She described this week as a chance to raise awareness, but also to reflect on how each of us can help make sure everybody feels safe, respected and included, adding that no one should ever have to endure abuse, intimidation or violence simply because of who they are.

In the past 12 months up to 30 June 2025, the PSNI recorded almost 2300 hate crimes, with Chief Superintendent Steen pointing out that behind every one of those statistics is an individual or a family. However, she said police believe many more incidents go unreported, and without reporting they cannot support victims, detect patterns, allocate resources or bring perpetrators to justice.

Chief Superintendent Steen encouraged people who witness or experience hate-motivated abuse, harassment or criminal damage to report it to police via 101, or 999 in an emergency, or online via the PSNI website. She explained that hate crime reports receive enhanced oversight, daily review and where possible dedicated problem-solving by neighbourhood policing teams. The PSNI also works closely with a range of community and voluntary groups, statutory partners and advocacy organisations to ensure victims are supported and their voices heard.

Chief Superintendent Steen said "“Every person in Northern Ireland deserves to live without fear or intimidation. During Hate Crime Awareness Week and beyond, I urge all of us to think about our words and actions, to challenge prejudice where we see it, and to support victims in coming forward.”

For those who feel unable to report directly to police, the Hate Crime Advocacy Service can provide independent, confidential assistance to help navigate options. The service offers a safe and confidential space to provide support to victims of hate crimes across the different protected characteristics, and can support people whether or not they have reported the crime to police.