Rise in disability hate crimes in Essex

There's been a 25% increase in disability hate crimes in Essex last year, according to new police figures.

A total of 424 disability hate crimes were recorded in the region last year, a large increase on the 338 crimes reported in 2018-19. That figure is also the third-highest in England and Wales.

More than half the crimes were classed by the authorities as 'violence incidents', which included assault and harassment.

The figures, part of a joint investigation by learning disability charities Leonard Cheshire and United Response are released ahead of National Disability Hate Crime Awareness Week which starts on Saturday 10 October 2020.

Essex Police also reported an increase in digital disability hate crimes, which rose to 43 crimes and by nearly 50% last year. This meant that one in every 10 disability hate crimes took place over the internet.

Working together to raise awareness about the impact of disability hate crime, Leonard Cheshire and United Response commented: “As this abhorrent crime continues to rise year on year, it’s time for the authorities, Government and online platforms to start taking this damaging behaviour more seriously. Offenders must face appropriate repercussions and be educated on the impact of their cowardly acts, while increased funding for advocacy services is also urgently needed. Victims need to have better access to support across the entire reporting, investigative and judicial process. This is the only way to make victims feel safe and confident in reporting these crimes to the police, helping lead to more concrete charges and ultimately convictions.

“With online hate crime showing no signs of slowing down, provisions also need to be made to make the internet a less threatening place for disabled people with effective monitoring and recording of hateful activity. Disabled people must also be involved in the development of digital strategies to help ensure this type of damaging behaviour doesn’t slip through the cracks.”