Devon and Cornwall Police respond following an increase in disability hate crime
The force says they have been working hard to try and increase reporting levels.
Last updated 9th Oct 2020
Devon and Cornwall Police said it recognises that disability hate crime is under reported and is working hard to try to increase reporting levels.
It comes following new research carried out by disability charities Leonard Cheshire and United Response, which found that there has been a 20 percent rise in cases being dealt with by the police force over the last year.
There were 243 in total, but only three of those led to there being a charge.
131 of those cases involved violence, and three were online.
Findings from the joint investigation have been released ahead of National Hate Crime Awareness Week, which starts on Saturday 10th October.
Police in the Duchy insist they are working closely with partner organisations and disability community groups to raise awareness and understanding of hate crime by holding events.
“Within Devon and Cornwall Police we have Diverse Communities Teams who engage widely with our diverse and minority community groups.
"We work closely with partner organisations holding events to raise awareness and understanding of hate crime and promote the various reporting methods, whilst building trust and confidence between the public and the police.
"Events such as Blue Light Days for our disabled communities and have established the BASH awards for our disabled communities to recognise the achievements of many unsung heroes. Under normal circumstances (pre-Covid) we actively work with disability community groups to raise awareness of hate crime.
In response to a such a low number of disability hate crimes resulting in a charge, the force says some victims may wish to receive a different outcome and may not necessarily want to press charges;
“Through engaging with victims we maintain victim focused and there are many circumstances when a victim may wish not to follow a criminal justice route through the courts but may rather seek a positive outcome in other ways such as receiving an apology or compensation from the offender (depending on the crime itself), or simply by reporting an incident for our information only so that we can better understand the bigger picture of what is taking place in our communities. Our scrutiny processes around hate crime enable us to look more closely at this.
Those who feel they are a victim of disability hate crime are being urged to come forward so police can provide appropriate support. Equally, anyone who has witnessed a disability hate crime is also being asked to report it.
“We know that disability hate crime is under-reported, and under-reported by a much larger margin than some other types of hate crime. We have been working hard to try and increase reporting levels. Not every case will have sufficient evidence to enable us to secure a successful prosecution, but we undertake scrutiny processes with the CPS to identify improvements which we might make.
“The numbers remain small, and we really do urge those who are the victims of disability hate crime to report it to us – you will be listened to and taken seriously, and we can provide appropriate support for you.”
You can report hate crime in a number of different ways:
• Online using the Hate crime / incident reporting form
• Or call us on 101, the force's non-emergency number.
• Report the problem to your local police station or local policing team.
If it is an emergency where life is threatened, people are injured or offenders are nearby and an urgent response is required, ring 999.
If you would like further information, support and advise surrounding hate crime, you can visit the Devon and Cornwall Police website here.