Disability hate crimes rise by 25 per cent

Police have recorded a 25 per cent increase in disability hate crimes in 2014/15, according to Government figures.

Crimes against disabled people rose in 2014/15 from 2,006 to 2,508 when compared to 2013/14 but most remain unreported, according to the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) 2014/15.

Only 2,508 victims of disability hate crime actually reported their experience to the police out of an estimated 70,000 victims of disability-motivated crimes.

The report also said that almost a third (30 per cent) of the crimes reported by victims were violent.

Leonard Cheshire Disability campaigns director Andy Cole said: “These figures show a shocking rise in instances of disability hate crime. Disability hate crime destroys lives. As well as the terrible immediate impact of violence and harassment, too often hate crime leaves disabled people isolated and vulnerable, living in fear, and cut off from their family, friends and neighbours because of the ongoing threat of violence and retaliation.”

Police said action taken by police forces to improved recording of crime over the last year, especially for violence against people and greater awareness of hate crime is likely to be a factor in the increase in the overall hate crimes recorded which rose by 18 per cent. Police said there were an estimated 222,000 hate crimes on average per year.

Mr Cole added: “Better reporting, and an increased effort by the authorities to raise awareness and support victims, can explain some of this increase but it is very concerning that there has been no progress by police, prosecutors and probation services to reduce the number of crimes being committed. When only 2,500 victims of disability hate crime report their experience to the police out of an estimated 70,000 victims, it is clear that something is seriously wrong. These new figures must act as a wakeup call.

The Prime Minister has called hate crime “unacceptable in 21st century Britain” in a letter of support for Hate Crime Awareness Week.

In his letter, David Cameron said the week reminds everyone they need to confront hate crime as well as remember those who have fallen victim to such crimes.

He stated: "So let me be clear: no more passive tolerance in Britain. We all have a responsibility to stop this hatred: whether it is as simple as challenging the attitudes and behaviour that foster such prejudice at a young age or backing communities so they feel they have the tools to speak out against hatred."

Leonard Cheshire Disability offers care and community support projects for disabled people. The charity supports more than 4,600 disabled people in the UK and liaises with police to alert them to crimes against those with disabilities.

“At Leonard Cheshire Disability, we have undertaken projects in London and Northern Ireland to raise the profile of disability hate crime, increase reporting and ultimately to reduce crime itself through a safety training and advocacy service for disabled people and a police engagement programme. This issue is one which demands cultural as well as legal changes.”

Learning disability campaigner Mencap has lent its support to Hate Crime Awareness Week. A spokesman for Mencap said: "For us at Mencap, this is an important opportunity to raise awareness of disability hate crime. Why? Because in the last two years alone there were 124,000 disability hate crimes.

"That’s almost 1,200 every single week. But, only 3 per cent of these were recorded by the police, and only 1 per cent resulted in prosecutions.

"Hate crime robs people of their confidence, their independence and sometimes, their lives."

You can view the CSEW report by visiting https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/467366/hosb0515.pdf