Homophobic/transphobic incident

• How long do I have to report an incident to the police?
• I think I have been the victim of a homophobic / transphobic incident, what can the police do?
• Is there a legal requirement to report a crime?
• What is a hate crime or hate incident?
• What is the law on racial and religious hatred and hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation?
• What steps do the police have to take with regard to victims of crime?