Racism.
Know your rights. Report it.
More and more young people are telling us about racism, at school, on the street, at work and online. Racism is never okay, and you don’t have to put up with it. This guide explains your rights, how to respond safely, when something is a crime, and exactly who to report it to in London, Essex and Kent.
To be safe, respected and treated equally, whoever you are.
It’s not just you. It’s rising.
Police in England and Wales recorded the highest number of race hate crimes since records began in the year to March 2026.
What racism can look like.
Racism means treating someone badly, or differently, because of their race, colour, nationality, ethnicity or where they or their family come from. It isn’t always loud or obvious.
Abuse and “banter”
Racist names, slurs, jokes, comments about hair, skin, food or accents, and being told to “go back home”. Calling it a joke doesn’t make it okay.
Physical attacks
Being pushed, spat at, attacked or threatened, or having your property damaged or covered in racist graffiti.
Online racism
Racist messages, comments, memes, videos, group chats and pile-ons, and accounts that spread hate.
Microaggressions
Small, repeated comments or actions, such as “Where are you really from?”, touching someone’s hair, or being followed around a shop.
Discrimination
Being treated worse at school, at work, in shops or by services, or being refused something, because of your race.
Religious hate
Antisemitism, anti-Muslim hate and hostility towards any faith often overlap with racism.
Your rights under the Equality Act 2010.
Race is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act. That covers your colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origins. The law protects you at school and college, at work, in shops, on public transport, in housing, and when dealing with public services, including the police.
Direct discrimination
Being treated worse than others because of your race. For example, being punished more harshly than other pupils for the same thing.
Indirect discrimination
A rule that applies to everyone but puts people of a certain race at an unfair disadvantage, such as a school uniform policy that bans certain natural hairstyles.
Harassment
Unwanted behaviour linked to race that violates your dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.
Victimisation
Being treated badly because you complained about racism, or supported someone else who did.
Time limits for legal claims are short, often 3 to 6 months. If you think you have been discriminated against, get advice quickly from the Equality Advisory and Support Service or Citizens Advice.
When is it a crime?
Not all racism is a crime, but it can always be reported. If you’re not sure, report it anyway and let the police or a reporting service decide.
Any incident you or anyone else believes was motivated by hostility or prejudice
For example, racist name-calling. It may not be a crime, but it can still be reported, recorded and acted on, especially if it keeps happening.
A crime motivated by hostility based on race or religion
For example, assault, threats, harassment, criminal damage or abuse in public. Courts can give tougher sentences when a crime is racially or religiously aggravated.
Tougher sentences
Some offences have their own racially or religiously aggravated version with a higher maximum sentence. For example, common assault can carry up to 6 months, but racially aggravated assault up to 2 years.
Online abuse
Sending threatening or grossly offensive messages, and stirring up racial hatred online, can be crimes.
Age matters
Anyone aged 10 or over can be held criminally responsible, so young people can be charged with hate crimes too.
How to respond in the moment.
Your safety comes first. You don’t have to confront anyone. Walking away is not weakness.
Get safe. Move away, go somewhere busy or into a shop, and stay with friends. Call 999 if you are in danger.
Don’t retaliate. Reacting with violence or abuse can put you at risk and could get you into trouble.
Record what happened. If it’s safe, film it, screenshot it, or write down what was said, when and where, and who saw it.
Tell someone and report it. Talk to someone you trust, then report it using the options below.
Be an active bystander
- Distract: interrupt by asking the person being targeted the time, or for directions
- Delegate: get help from staff, a driver, a teacher or security
- Document: film from a safe distance, and give the footage to the person targeted
- Check in: afterwards, ask the person if they’re okay and if they want help to report it
- Speak up if it is safe to do so
When to report, and who to.
You can report racism even if you’re not sure it is a crime, even if it happened a while ago, and even if it happened to someone else.
Call 999
If someone is being attacked or threatened, or the person is still nearby.
Report to the police
Call 101, report online to your local force, or use True Vision, the national online hate crime reporting site.
Report another way
Stop Hate UK (24/7, with a line just for under-18s), Crimestoppers (anonymous), or a local hate incident reporting centre.
Tell the school
Tell a teacher you trust, the head of year or the head teacher. Schools must take racist incidents seriously. If they don’t, use the school’s complaints procedure.
Tell your employer
Tell your manager or HR, and keep a record. Acas gives free advice on discrimination at work.
Report it twice
Report it to the app or website, and to True Vision or the police if it’s threatening or abusive. Screenshot it first.
Complain and get advice
Complain to the business and contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service for advice.
Make a complaint
Complain to the police force involved, or through the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Talk to us
Youth Unity can help you understand what happened and support you to report it.
For parents and carers.
Believe them. Young people often worry they will be told they are overreacting. Listen, take it seriously, and tell them it is not their fault.
Help them record it. Dates, times, what was said, screenshots and names of witnesses all make a report stronger.
Hold the school to account. Ask for a meeting, ask how the incident is being recorded and dealt with, and follow up in writing.
Talk about it at home. Conversations about identity, pride and how to respond safely help young people feel strong and supported.
Report it and get support.
Free and confidential reporting and support services across London, Essex and Kent.
Report anywhere
True Vision
The national website for reporting hate crimes and hate incidents to the police online.
Report online →24/7 · anonymousStop Hate UK
Report hate and get support without going to the police. There is a dedicated line for under-18s.
0800 138 1625 · under 18s: 0808 801 0576Visit website →100% anonymousCrimestoppers
Give information about a crime anonymously. Your details are never traced.
0800 555 111Visit website →Advice and support
Equality Advisory and Support Service
Free advice on discrimination at school, in shops and services. Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm.
0808 800 0082Visit website →Racism at workAcas
Free, impartial advice about discrimination and your rights at work.
0300 123 1100Visit website →Under 19s · 24/7Childline
Free, confidential support about racism, bullying, or anything that’s worrying you.
0800 1111Visit website →If you’ve been affected by crimeVictim Support
Free, confidential emotional and practical support for victims and witnesses of hate crime.
08 08 16 89 111Visit website →Complaints about policeIOPC
Complain about how you were treated by any police force in England and Wales.
Make a complaint →Specialist community support
Tell MAMA
Report and get support for anti-Muslim hatred and Islamophobia.
Visit website →AntisemitismCommunity Security Trust (CST)
Report and get support for antisemitic incidents.
Visit website →East and Southeast Asian communitiesOn Your Side
Support for East and Southeast Asian people affected by racism and hate crime.
Visit website →Football and sportKick It Out
Report racism and discrimination in football, at any level, including grassroots and youth football.
Visit website →EducationShow Racism the Red Card
Anti-racism education and resources for young people, schools and youth groups.
Visit website →London
Essex
Kent
Report hate crime in Kent and Medway
Report hate crime, including online hate, to Kent Police online, or call 101.
101Report online →MedwayMedway reporting hubs
Report hate crime with support at Citizens Advice Medway and community reporting hubs, without going to the police directly.
Find out more →Sources
- Police-recorded religious and race hate crimes hit record high (Home Office data)
- GOV.UK: Hate crime, England and Wales, year ending March 2026
- Sentencing Council: Racial or religious aggravation
- CPS: Prosecuting racist and religious hate crime
- EHRC: The Equality Act and schools
- EHRC: Contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service
- Children’s Commissioner for Wales: Children’s experiences of racism in secondary schools
- Essex County Council: Report hate crime
- Kent Police: How to report hate crime
- Stop Hate UK: How to report online hate
This guide gives general information about the law in England and is not legal advice. Statistics and service details were checked in October 2026 and may change. In an emergency, always call 999.
