Stop Hate UK Response to Latest Hate Crime Figures

“Stop Hate UK acknowledge the latest Hate Crime data published by Home Office which reflects an overall increase in Hate Crimes reported to police.

This increase is recognised in the work we do and our helpline services have seen a similar uplift on the number of contacts.

Generally we would welcome any increase in reporting to police as evidence that the historic barriers to reporting are slowly being removed. It is difficult, however, to confidently ascribe the increase in such a positive way as the EU debate is still a constant theme in our contacts and as such could mask any improvements in the service provided to Hate Crime victims.

Hate Crime is insidious and destructive; having a significantly disproportionate impact on those who are targeted in this way.  We do recognise that increases in Disability and Gender Identity Hate Crime reports are a welcome, albeit small, step forward as our experience tells us these communities are significantly under represented in official data.

We continue to support those that contact our helpline services and improve outcomes for them. However we continue to hear about very worrying incidents and it is clear we all need to do more to Stop Hate.”