Petition · past parliament · Ministry of Justice
Make hair colour a protected characteristic covered by hate crime legislation
Closed
94 signatures
What the petition asks
We want hair colour to be made a protected characteristic to protect people with red or ginger hair from discrimination. Hate crime laws should also be extended to cover offences motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person's hair colour.
We believe current legislation does not adequately protect people with red or ginger hair, despite it being estimated that around 4% of people in the UK have hair this colour.
Too often people with ginger or red hair face prejudice, stereotyping and dehumanization.
For example, in response to an FOI North Yorkshire police disclosed that the words 'ginger', 'red hair' and 'redhead' appeared in crime reports 57 times from January 1 2021 to November 15, 2021.
There have been cases of hate crimes against redheads in the UK including stabbings, sexual harassment, groups attacks and targeting and abuse.
Too often people with ginger or red hair face prejudice, stereotyping and dehumanization.
For example, in response to an FOI North Yorkshire police disclosed that the words 'ginger', 'red hair' and 'redhead' appeared in crime reports 57 times from January 1 2021 to November 15, 2021.
There have been cases of hate crimes against redheads in the UK including stabbings, sexual harassment, groups attacks and targeting and abuse.
Timeline
| 17 Jul 2023 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 17 Jan 2024 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
94
Status
Closed
Department
Ministry of Justice
Opened
17 Jul 2023
Closed
17 Jan 2024
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.