Anti-hate crime campaign to be launched after crime rise in the wake of Brexit vote

Plans for a potential anti-hate crime campaign were announced in the West Midlands Mayor’s Faith Action Plan document.

It comes after faith groups in the region claimed there had been a rise in xenophobia and hate crimes since the Brexit vote.

Mayor Andy Street said: “Our faith communities and faith-based charities form one of the greatest – and often under-appreciated – sources of strength, vitality and resilience in our area.

"The region’s faith communities are part of the West Midlands we call home, but are also one of the ways the West Midlands is connected to the world.

"Working together is a must – both in terms of them helping us to achieve our collective aims – not least in terms of economic inclusion and combating homelessness – but also being a listening ear for their concerns and issues.

"I hope that during my time as mayor, these communities feel they can work with me to contribute to improving the lives of people in the West Midlands."

More than 400 people came together at the University of Birmingham to discuss religion in the region this week.

The report revealed there was a 'genuine concern' within communities that Brexit had reinforced xenophobia and contributed to a rise in hate crime.

Sikhs in the region said they were often overlooked and felt issues were not sufficiently addressed.

Hate crime within the West Midlands has also been discussed with Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson, the report said.

The report, which looked into faith in the West Midlands, was crafted following last November's The Mayor and Faith Conference.

It said the campaign could focus on hate crime which takes place on pubic transport, similar to the 'Kick it Out' anti-racism football campaign launched in the 1990s.

Last year's conference saw people from across the region discuss the economy, homelessness, hate crime and leadership.

Home Office statistics published last year revealed there had been a 12 per cent increase in hate crimes recorded in the West Midlands during the 2016-2017 period – rising from 3,780 the previous year to 4,244.