Northumberland sees largest increase in hate crime across Northumbria Police force area

Northumberland saw the largest increase in hate crime across the Northumbria Police force area last year.
Northumberland has seen an increase in hate crimeNorthumberland has seen an increase in hate crime
Northumberland has seen an increase in hate crime

Figures show that the number of recorded incidents in the county in 2019-20 rose by 76, or 29%, for both the largest volume and percentage rises of the six council areas covered.

However, Northumberland’s total number of offences last year of 337 (up from 261) was the second lowest, behind South Tyneside with 228.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The highest number of hate crime incidents in 2019-20 was in Newcastle, although the 1,067 recorded in the city represented a fall of 47, or 4%, on the previous year.

The statistics are revealed in a themed report on hate crime, which is being presented to the Tuesday, August 11, meeting of the Northumbria Police and Crime Panel, and shows a 9% increase across the force area.

Hate crimes targeted at disability show the largest volume and percentage increase in 2019-20, increasing by 116 offences or 44%, against a national rise of just 14%.

Those related to sexual orientation (up 17%), faith-motivated (up 5%) and racially motivated offences (up 2%) also showed an increase compared to 2018-19, although these increases were in line with or below the national picture.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Close to two-thirds (60%) of the offences in the Northumbria force area in 2019-20 were related to public disorder, while the percentage of all hate crime committed online doubled last year from 4% to 8%.

The report states that in response to this, community engagement teams (CETs) are providing crime prevention advice to community groups who are potential victims of online crime.

In terms of tackling hate crime, the Northumbria conviction rate is 86%, just above the national rate of 85%.

The report also addresses other activity carried out by officers, which includes ‘ensuring visibility at a large number and diverse range of community events’ and CETs ‘working alongside community groups and partners, building trust and confidence, and addressing any concerns regarding hate crime’.

It adds: ‘Significant engagement has been undertaken with the Chinese community throughout the pandemic due to targeting of the community.’

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A Hate Crime Workplace Champions scheme has been completed and was in the process of being delivered to private and public-sector organisations before Covid-19, and hate-crime tension monitoring groups are now embedded across the six local authorities.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

If you can, please do pick up a copy when you are at the shops. Thank you for your support.