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Reporting hate crime

What do I do if I’m a victim of hate crime?

If the incident is occurring now or there is an emergency or life threatening situation contact 000 (Triple Zero) and ask for the police.

  • Stay calm
  • If possible, note the description of any offender, any vehicles used, if any weapons have been produced or used
  • Tell the operator of any injuries to any person/s

Do not try and apprehend any offender/s yourself – wait for the police.

It is understood that you may be upset or angry; however it is important to answer questions put to you by police, no matter how unrelated or irrelevant some may appear at the time. The police may be aware of other similar offences and your answers could help to establish a pattern of criminal activity.

If the incident involves graffiti, hate propaganda or posters and pamphlets, take the following steps:

  • Keep all relevant material
  • Record all relevant information regarding the incident including names, descriptions, vehicles, when and where the incident occurred
  • In situations involving printed material (e.g. letters, posters, flyers) promoting hate, do not attempt to touch or remove anything. The fewer people that handle the material, the greater the success of obtaining fingerprints
  • In cases where there is graffiti in public view, ensure that the police attend or a photograph is taken of the graffiti before removing the message
  • If the hate propaganda is hand delivered, attempt to record the number plate of the vehicle and a description of the driver or any passengers
  • DO NOT confront the person
  • If the hate propaganda is in the form of a message left on an answering machine, message bank or email, do not delete it until police have examined them

If you are a victim of a hate crime or a witness to a hate crime it is important that you call police. Only through community support can we tackle the problem of hate crime.

How do I report a hate crime?

In an emergency call 000 (Triple Zero)

If it is not an emergency you can report the hate crime to:

How do I supply information relating to a hate crime?

If you wish to supply information relating to a hate crime or hate group you can contact:

  • Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
  • Your local police
  • A community advocacy group
  • The Hate Crime Coordinator from the Community Contact Unit, NSW Police Force on (02) 9919 9289

All information supplied will be treated with the strictest confidence and can be made anonymously.

For more information

If you have any questions, issues or would like advice you can contact the Hate Crime Coordinator within the Community Contact Unit, Counter Terrorism & Special Tactics Command, NSW Police Force on (02) 9919 9289. Your call will be treated with the strictest confidence.