Hate crime figures soar

Staffordshire Police have revealed that the number of charges for hate crime offences have risen by 16 per cent.

It mirrors national statistics by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) that reported that hate crime sentence uplifts increased nationally from 11.8 per cent in 2014/15 to 33 per cent in 2015/16. It is the highest proportion recorded to date.

The conviction rate across all strands of hate crime increased from 82.9 per cent in 2014/15 to 83.2 per cent in 2015/16.

Chief Superintendent Jeff Moore, of Staffordshire Police, said: “We recognise that hate crime has a lasting impact upon victims and Staffordshire Police is committed to bringing those who commit this type of crime to justice, while providing support to those affected.

"We have seen an increase in the levels of hate crime reported and we want everyone to have the confidence to come forward to us where they have been a victim.”

The figures come in the run up to Hate Crime Awareness Week which will increase visibility on support that is offered. It will take place from October 14 to 21.

Following the worrying statistics, the CPS has published new statements on how it will prosecute hate crime and support victims in England and Wales.

It covers different strands of hate crime including race, religious, disability, homophobic, bi-phobic and transphobic.

It was compiled following consultations with community groups and criminal justice partners and has a particular focus on bi-phobia victims and online hate crime.

Social media has often been used as a platform to perpetuate hate crime and the CPS recognise this, stating they are committed to treating online crime as seriously as offline offences.

New policy also acknowledges that victims of bi-phobic hate crime will have different experience to other forms of hate crime including homophobia and transphobia.

They have also made clear that they have a responsibility to actively remove barriers to justice for disabled victims and witnesses, ensuring they get the right support to enable them to give their best evidence.

Chief Superintendent Moore, said: “Staffordshire Police works closely with other partners to offer support to those affected by this type of crime. We are pleased and support the CPS policy update on this that recognises that online crime can be just as impactive on victims as offline crime, and that it also recognises bi-phobic crime.

“The Hate Crime Awareness Week is a great way to increase the visibility of support that is offered and that this type of crime is not tolerated within our communities."