A major Cleveland-wide campaign to increase awareness and understanding of hate crime has been launched by Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey.
Matt announced the launch of the Hate Ends Here campaign on behalf of the Cleveland Strategic Hate Crime Partnership, as part of his ambitious plans to spread a zero-tolerance message across the communities of Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees and Redcar and Cleveland.
Hate crime is defined as any crime in which the suspect is motivated by hostility towards a person’s perceived disability, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or gender identity.
It can include verbal abuse, intimidation, threats, harassment, bullying (both online and offline) and damage to property.
Hate Ends Here raises awareness among the public and includes three key messages aimed towards victims, perpetrators and witnesses to be able to:
Recognise – help people to understand what hate crime is.
Report – highlight the various ways people can report hate crime.
Recover – signpost victims and witnesses to appropriate support services.
The launch comes after figures show a steady rise on reported hate crime in Cleveland year-on-year from 359 in 2012/13 to 1,562 incidents in 2022/23.
There was a further 11% increase during 2024/25 with 1,747 reported hate crimes in the area. It was noted that the figures had been influenced by the period of violent disorder in summer 2024.
The biggest motivation for reported hate crime in Cleveland according to 2023/24 data is race at 1,130 incidents. This is followed by 207 incidents directed at victims’ sexual orientation, 164 at disability and 38 based on transgender identity.
The campaign includes social media graphics and posters which will be shared with partners and stakeholders across Cleveland from today, Monday 13 October 2025.
It coincides with National Hate Crime Awareness Week which runs from 11-18 October and encourages communities affected by hate crime to work together to address the root of the problem and stand in solidarity with victims both past and present.
Tackling hate crime is a key priority in Matt’s Police and Crime Plan, and he is currently working on a new multi-agency Cleveland Hate Crime Strategy which is expected to launch later this year.
He said: “Committing a hate crime in any form is appalling and goes against the shared values held by the Hate Crime Partnership. It can have a traumatic, life changing impact on victims while perpetrators often escalate in the seriousness of their offending.
“Hate Ends Here is a powerful campaign that not only reminds victims to not suffer in silence but also serves to teach the public about the importance of tolerance, acceptance and understanding.
“I am proud of the amazing victim support services and restorative justice teams we have in Cleveland that provide support to people as they recover from their experiences of hate. The work they do is essential to secure justice for those who are exposed to hate in whatever form that may take.”
Organisations including police and local authorities will receive the Hate Ends Here campaign assets so that they can share with their networks and communities across Cleveland.
If you or anyone you know has been impacted by hate crime you can receive free and confidential support, regardless of whether you have reported the incident, by contacting VCAS on 0303 040 1099, [email protected] or www.vcas.uk