Update of the work of the Race Hate Crime Forum

Report: 11
Date: 10 March 2005
By: Clerk

Summary

This update describes the scale of the problem associated with race hate crime across the Capital and expresses the RHCF’s commitment to supporting all London boroughs, to ensure the reduction of race hate crimes and the fear of such crimes to all of London’s communities.

A. Recommendations

That the Race Hate Crime Forum is supported to maintain and build on the work started.

B. Supporting information

1. Research shows that racists are likely to be prolific offenders who graduate to more serious attacks if not prevented and detected early on.

2. Racial harassment incidents are widespread and under-reported – it is estimated that only around 5% of incidents are reported to the police and therefore is a much bigger problem than we know.

3. Media coverage has confirmed the wide spread nature of incidences of race hate crime and the impact on London’s communities, especially in regard to the rise in Islamophobia post the events of 9/11.

4. Reducing race hate crimes will contribute to the general crime reduction targets for London.

5. Multi-agency partners should be encouraged to take account of perpetrators of race hate crime, as they are likely to be involved in other crime and ASB.

Supporting Data

6. MPS data collected by on Racial Incidents for the period January to June 2004, confirms the total number of incidents as 7441.

• 24% were detected (1786)
• 69.9% (5202) were undetected.

7. Statistics show of the 7441 recorded offences; the following are the most prevalent:

• 1310 offences related to Causing Harassment / Alarm or Distress,
• 1154 offences related to Common Assault
• 1036 offences related to Threatening / Abusive / Insulting words or behaviour

8. Over 15,000 racist incidents and over 1,500 homophobic incidents were reported to the MPS last year (2003-2004). It is worthy of noting that many of these offences also go unreported, as these are the types of offences, which occur on a significant daily basis.

9. Boroughs recording increases in levels of hate crime of more than 10% include: Havering, Brent, Camden, Bromley, Lewisham, Islington, Barking and Dagenham and Wandsworth.

10. Boroughs recording decreases in levels of hate crime of more than 20% include: Enfield, Richmond, Merton, Southwark and Newham.

11. Boroughs performing below the MPS detection target of 26% include: Croydon, Bexley, Hounslow, Kingston, Greenwich, Merton, Redbridge and Tower Hamlets.

12. Boroughs achieving more than 40% of the detection rate: Camden, Enfield, Lewisham and Richmond.

13. The Crown Prosecution Service statistics show the number of people prosecuted for race-hate crimes in the capital increased by 127% in 2003-04.

14. In the last 12 months, 2003/04, Victim Support helped 33,374 people in England and Wales, who believe they were victims of racially motivated crime. Statistics from Victim Support highlight the increase in the problem. The increase has been monitored from 1993/94 - 3,072 to 2002/03 - 20,950

• From 2003 - 2004, this figure has increased to 33,374.

15. These figures reinforced anecdotal evidence that racially motivated crimes are on the increase.

MPS response

16. The MPS is aware of the problem and has raised its target for detection rates from 18% (2003) to 26% (2004-2005).

17. The RHCF is working with MPS to monitor data across the London area in regard to disproportionality and as such will be in a good position to feedback emerging patterns pan London.

RHCF comment

18. The RHCF recognises considerable changes have been made in London boroughs and Police policies to address issues of race hate crime, however, the negative effects on individuals, victims and families in the community, still remains high as a consequence of the actions of perpetrators.

19. Not all London areas have identified race hate crime as a specific crime as distinct from anti-social behaviour. Many borough areas have incorporated race hate crimes within the anti-social behaviour heading and as such it does not always attract a clear strategy.

20. There is a great deal of work the Forum can be doing in relation to the investigation of other areas of the diversity agenda for example work on race in the context of gender, disability and homophobic crimes etc.

21. The increasing workload requires support and a scoping of what else needs to be done as the work inevitably expands. This would include:

• exploring issues of disproportionality
• identifying what is and what is not working, across London, nationally and internationally
• greater scrutiny of local strategies and reasons for action by assessing available evidence at a local level to contribute to a London wide perspective
• exploring reason, which offer explanations to the lack of reporting by consulting with the broad range of communities in the capital

22. In order to do this work, the Forum would benefit from an independent perspective. This would best be served by engaging a Consultant to identify contributing factors to hate crimes and reviewing all information gathered in support of the establishment of a London wide strategy. This could be work commissioned on a short time scale and include the reporting of typical and topical issues, such as disproportionality and any activity from organisations such as the BNP.

23. We are currently aware there is a great deal of under reporting of race hate crimes and that there are reports of incidences of homophobic crimes increasing. In these cases the Forum is has recorded some concerns in respect of reporting these crimes and the additional vulnerability of those victims affected by such crimes.

Community perspective/contact

24. RHCF has and maintains contact with borough Race Equality Councils and local groups. Current responses from victims show a substantial disparity with statutory agency claims of achievement and community perceptions

25. Data from the Crime Victims Survey, on victim satisfaction, currently shows that of those offences detected, a rate of 82% is being achieved.

Forum activity

26 Forum has held meetings with the London Boroughs of Southwark, Greenwich and Tower Hamlets, in supporting the development of local strategic Action Plans. Croydon and Westminster are the last of the initial 8 priority boroughs to present to the Forum on 21st March 05.

27. The database of projects is in its initial stages. This may eventually be made available on the Forum website.

28. Meetings are being arranged for the next 8 boroughs to present to the Forum. These are: Brent, Barking & Dagenham, Lewisham, Islington, Lambeth, Hackney and Havering.

29. The Forum is currently taking on research of the use of 3rd Party reporting sites and a proforma questionnaire has been distributed for comments to the boroughs that have already presented to the Forum.

30. The Forum will, in due course, be preparing an annual report, which will include qualitative and quantitative data collected by civil areas with view to establishing nature of current data and possibly suggesting models for improved data collecting/recording. The report will draw together the work of forum members - mps stats, a report from board of British Jews and our research of the top 5 Crime Prosecution Service areas in relation to dealing with race hate crime.

31. The RHCF continues to engage with representative bodies to ensure an understanding of local needs, e.g. the Independent Advisory Group and advice and expertise from the RHCF member organisations as well as with the MPA through the MPA link members.

C. Race and equality impact

The RHCF recognises that race hate crime impacts on individuals, groups, families, as well as organisations, businesses and services.

The cost to London is evident in the impact on, education, the judiciary, policing, security, housing, health, rescue services, community confidence and safety.

D. Financial implications

Currently there is a shortfall of c. £30,000 in the budget for 2005/06. The MPA and Government Office for London are committing £30,000 each and the anticipated total cost is c £90,000. Discussions are taking place with the GLA and other partners to close the gap.

E. Background papers

• None

F. Contact details

Report author: Bennett Obong, Project Manager

For more information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

Send an e-mail linking to this page

Feedback