Racially Aggravated Offences
Racially motivated attacks and religiously motivated attacks are attacks which are carried out because of a someone’s racial or ethnic origin, or their religion or lack of religion. They include the following:-
- a physical attack on a person or family by another person or group of people
- an attack on a person’s or family’s home or property, for example, breaking a window, throwing an object through a letter box or setting a car alight
- The conduct of the group taken together would cause a reasonable person at that place to fear for their personal safety.
- verbal abuse or threats
- written abuse, for example, a letter, pamphlet, email, telephone or text message
- an abusive slogan painted on a wall or building
The Courts will consider whether:
- At the time of committing the offence, or immediately before or after it, you have demonstrated hostility towards the victim because of their membership or a racial or religious group; or
- The offence is motivated by hostility towards members of a racial or religious group.
