News story

'Challenge it, report it, stop it' – fight against hate crime launched

A plan to crackdown on the hatred that ruins people's lives was launched today.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone unveiled a cross-government action plan to tackle hate crime at a police conference in Birmingham.

Under the banner of ‘challenge it, report it, stop it’, the plan outlines how the government will support local areas in tackling the problem, and highlights the need to provide more support to victims and give them the confidence to come forward and report incidents.

The plan focuses on three key themes:

  • preventing hate crime
  • increasing reporting
  • improving responses.

Lynne Featherstone said: ‘Hate crime has devastating consequences for victims and their families, and also divides communities.  We must all stand up and confront this despicable behaviour. Hate crime is unacceptable in a civilised society and we owe it to victims and their families to carry on the fight against hatred.’

The plan covers a range of issues from tackling school bullying, challenging negative stereotypes and addressing racial, religious, disability, homophobic and transgender hate crimes. It also covers improving data, sharing good practice among local areas and issuing new guidance for police officers. 

Published 14 March 2012