Hate crime on the rise in Cannock Chase

Staffordshire Police recorded 123 hate crime incidents in Cannock Chase in the 12 months to January this year – up 33 from 90 the year before.

Figures, revealed in a Cannock Chase District Council report, show crime as a whole rose by 14 per cent over the same period.

There were 6,782 incidents of crime in the year – an 815 increase from 5,967.

The data was provided by Staffordshire Police.

Surprised

Independent councillor and ex-police officer Maureen Freeman, who represents the Cannock South Ward covering the town centre, condemned all forms of hate crime.

“I am surprised it’s gone so high, it has been on the increase – I am aware of that,” she said. “I am surprised it’s gone up across Cannock Chase, it’s not something usually that the area’s residents would be suffering from.

“I would condemn any hate crime. I don’t think hate crime is welcome anywhere and would condemn it across the country never mind just in Cannock Chase. It is an awful thing and I have every sympathy with victims.”

“I would hope that the figures do come down and very quickly. I’m sure police are doing their best but I would hope it goes down.

“I can’t point my figure at the reason of the rise, it’s just one of these things. There will be spikes in certain areas of crime but I really don’t know the reason.”

Hate crimes are any crimes that are targeted at a victim because of hostility or prejudice towards their disability, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or transgender identity.

Sarah Wainwright, chief inspector for local policing in the Cannock Chase district, said the force was ‘committed’ to bringing those behind hate crime to justice.

She added: “Hate crime is extremely important to us in Cannock Chase and we have worked hard to encourage victims to crime to come forward and report incidents to the police.

“Working within our partnership hub are CACH – communities against crimes of hate. This organisation offers support to victims of hate crime and also educational delivery to partner agencies and the community.

“We recognise that hate crime has a lasting impact upon victims and we are committed to bringing those who commit this type of crime to justice, while providing support to those affected.

“There has been an increase in the levels of hate crime reported and we believe that this is due to the confidence in the police response and the support offered by CACH.

“We want everyone to have the confidence to come forward to us where they have been a victim.”