Attacks On Emos, Punks & Goths Recognised As Hate Crimes

Attacks on members of alternative subcultures, such as emos, punks, metallers and goths, are to be treated as hate crimes by a UK police force.

Greater Manchester Police has become the first force in the country to officially recognise hate crimes against these groups.

It means GMP will record offences against these subcultures in the same way as racist, disability, religious, sexual orientation and transgender hate crime.

GMP have been liaising closely with the Sophie Lancaster Foundation, a charity set up by Sophie’s family and friends following her murder six years ago.

The 20-year-old was attacked with her boyfriend Robert Maltby in a park in Bacup, Lancashire on 24th August 2007, simply because of their goth appearance.

Sophie died after being stamped and kicked by the group as she tried to shield her severely injured boyfriend. Mr Maltby later made a partial recovery.

Sophie Lancaster's mother Sylvia told the Manchester Evening News: “It is a very proud day for me personally and the rest of the team.

“It is a validation of the work we have undertaken in the past five years and hopefully other forces will follow GMP’s lead. A big thank you to Greater Manchester Police and all our supporters.”

It’s thought that the GMP’s move won’t result in more stringent sentences until there is a nationwide change in legislation; however, the force says it is hoping to raise awareness of the issue.

GMP Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan hailed this new hate crime recognition as a "major breakthrough.”

He told the BBC: "This means that we can recognise the impact that alternative subculture hate crime has on its victims and the wider community.

"Any crime motivated by hate is an insidious and evil crime and I hope other forces will follow our lead.

"We need to make a stance here and say clearly, in memory of Sophie, protecting the victims of hate crime should extended beyond those the law already safeguards."

In tribute to Sophie, the second stage at Bloodstock Open Air has been named the Sophie Lancaster Stage since 2009.