Racial group - a group of people defined by reference to race, colour, nationality (including citizenship), ethnic or national origins. Religious group - a group of persons defined by reference to religious belief or lack of religious belief.

Note:- membership of a racial/religious group includes "association with members of that group", so people can be victims of racially or religiously-aggravated offences committed by an attacker from the same ethnic/religious group as them.

This means the maximum penalties are increased for assaults, criminal damage, public order and harassment offences.

Assaults

GBH S.20 Offences Against Person Act 1861 5 years on indictment			7 years if racially or religiously aggravated
ABH S.47 Offences Against Person Act 1861 5 years on indictment			7 years if racially or religiously aggravated
Common assault S 39 Criminal Justice Act 1988 6 months summary			2 years if racially or religiously aggravated
Criminal damage S.1 (1) Criminal Damage Act 1971 10 years on indictment			14 years if racially or religiously aggravated

Public order

Fear or provocation of violence S.4 Public Order Act 1986 6 months summary			2 years if racially or religiously aggravated
Intentional harassment, alarm or distress S.4A Public Order Act 1986 6 months summary			2 years if racially or religiously aggravated
Harassment, alarm or distress S.5 Public Order Act 1986 6 months summary			1,000 fine raised if racially or religiously aggravated

Harassment

Harassment S.1 and 2 Protection from Harassment Act 1997 6 months summary			2 years if racially or religiously aggravated
Putting people in fear of violence S.4 Protection from Harassment Act 1997 5 years on indictment			7 years if racially or religiously aggravated