Disability Hate Crime and other crimes against disabled people - prosecution guidance
Plain-English digest of CPS prosecution guidance.
AI-generated summary — not verbatim. This is a plain-English digest, not the official CPS text. It may omit detail or fall out of date. Do not rely on it for a charging decision — read the full guidance on cps.gov.uk and check the current legislation.
This prosecution guidance outlines the considerations for reviewing and prosecuting offences classified as Disability Hate Crimes (DHC). It includes protocols for flagging cases, building cases, and addressing the legislative framework surrounding these crimes. Key areas such as victim issues, case reviews, and the definition of disability are also discussed to ensure a comprehensive approach.
Key points
- Prosecutors must assess cases for evidence of hostility towards disability.
- All hate crime classifications should be flagged in the CMS system.
- Victim perception plays a crucial role in case handling and prosecution decisions.
- Special measures may be needed for vulnerable witnesses in disability-related cases.
- Evidence of hostility must be contemporaneous with the offence for it to be classified as disability hate crime.
Public-interest factors
- The prevention of hate crimes
- Supporting vulnerable victims
- Ensuring community confidence in reporting hate crimes
- Upholding public trust in the justice system
- Protecting potential future victims
This is a factual digest of guidance published by the Crown Prosecution Service. Digested 2026-07-15. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the CPS.