Increase in hate crimes prosecutions
December 15th, 2008
Successful prosecutions for hate crimes have risen from 62% in 2005/06 to 71% in 2007/08, according to the latest figures released by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
In the three years ending in March 2008, over 200,000 defendants were prosecuted for hate crimes. 2,400 cases – 1.2% – were homophobic or transphobic hate crimes.
The first annual CPS Hate Crime Report 2007-2008 includes information on racist and religious crime, homophobic and transphobic crime, disability hate crime and domestic violence. This is the first report to give information about disability hate crime. Prior to this report, the CPS issued annual reports on its performance in prosecuting individual strands.
Conviction rates, guilty pleas and successful case outcomes have all increased year on year. These increases were consistent across all hate crime strands.
In the 2007/08 figures for homophobic or transphobic hate crimes, 87% of defendants were men, and 76% belonged to the White British category. During the same period of time conviction rates rose from 71% to 78%, and guilty pleas increased from 58% to 67%.
“Pernicious crimes of this nature are damaging to the very fabric of our society,” said The Attorney General, Baroness Scotland.
“They often leave the victims feeling helpless and isolated and that they are somehow to blame for the harm that has been inflicted upon them.
“I welcome the findings of this report as it acknowledges that there has been a real improvement in how hate crimes are being identified and addressed by the CPS. It also demonstrates that the victims’ voices are being heard, and that we are working hard to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
“A number of measures have already been put in place to deal with these crimes; and I am confident that we will be able to build upon our experiences and the expertise required to promote and protect the needs of vulnerable individuals and communities.”
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