Fighting hate crime the smart way

How confident are you in reporting hate crime? Whether a victim or a witness, would you let your local police station know you suffered an assault. It is common knowledge that many victims don't  report hate crime. Reasons for this range from psychological trauma to not having faith/trust in the police.

However, what the general public may not know, hate crime is a very high priority on the agenda of all  police forces across the country.  Hate crime is closely supervised to ensure that a proportionate and thorough investigation is carried out.  Victims and witnesses are at the heart of investigations and officers work very hard to ensure that any concerns are addressed.  This can include using ‘special measures’ at court to ensure they aren’t identified in the court process.  Where a conviction is obtained for a hate crime, the Crown Prosecution Service can ask the court to consider increasing the sentence passed to recognise this was a hate crime.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) between 2014/ 2015 there were 52,528 hate crime offences committed across the country, of which:

42,930 (82%) were race hate crimes;

5,597 (11%) were sexual orientation hate crimes;

3,254 (6%) were religion hate crimes;

2508 (5%) were disability hate crimes;  

605 (1%) were transgender hate crimes.  

There were increases in all five of the above strands over the past three years. The ONS has attributed such increases to police recording crime more accurately rather than an n actual increase in offences.

Youmanity reports on a police force whose work with local communities has made a huge impact on the way residents perceive the force thus increasing their willingness to report crime. Hampshire Constabulary was the first force in the UK to introduce Lesbian and Gay Liaison Officers (LAGLOs) some twenty years ago.  Their work has evolved over that time and there are now over 100 LAGLOs in all areas of the force including police officers, civilian staff and volunteer Special Constables. Their work includes offering advice on investigations and offering additional support to victims and witnesses.  The team is active on social media - @HantsPoliceLGBT and work closely with a wide range of partners across all sectors to promote inclusion and equality.

In 2016 the team launched an innovative scheme to provide LGBT awareness training to the force’s police cadets.  The cadets are volunteers, aged 13-17.  A number of Police Cadets have gone on to do some further training to become Cadet LAGLOs. This  has given cadets an increased awareness of issues facing the LGBT community especially around tackling bullying.  The cadets also learned how to best support victims of crime.  

The result of this highly inclusive police strategy has instilled more confidence in people reporting crime. Chief Inspector Scott Johnson sits on the force’s LGBT Resource Group which co-ordinates the work of the LAGLO team.  He said,    

“Over the last 3 years, we have seen a 50% increase in reported hate crime in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.  We know that hate crime still remains hugely under-reported, so we see this as very positive.  It shows that all sections of our community have trust and confidence in their police force to come forward and report crime.  The work of our LAGLO team is key to building that trust within our LGBT communities.” 

“All hate crimes are managed with the needs of victims and witnesses in mind.  Officers work very closely with the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure victims and witnesses are supported throughout.  In Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, 87% of hate crimes prosecuted through the courts secured a conviction.  This is an outstanding success.” 
 

In August,  LAGLOs were led by their Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney  as they marched alongside colleagues from other police forces at Brighton Pride, the UK's biggest Pride festival.  Please note photo 1 

Chief Inspector Johnson said, “Pride events are a great opportunity for the police to demonstrate that they represent and support the LGBT community.  The reception in Brighton this year was fantastic, a real celebration.”

Youmanity applauds the work of Hampshire’s LAGLO team.  Their work goes on. In September the team will be supporting National Inclusion Week with an awareness day focussing on bisexuality and transgender issues.