Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Hate crime charges drop in London over last five years, data shows

Overall, 8 per cent of reported hate crimes of all types in 2023 resulted in a charge, compared to 12.7 per cent three years earlier.

Hate crime charges drop in London over last five years, data shows

FEWER racist and religious hate crimes in London have led to criminal charges over the past five years, new data has revealed.

The percentage of cases resulting in a charge for hate crime has dropped by 16 per cent from 2,037 to 1,691 over the last five years in the city, data uncovered by the Liberal Democrats this week showed.


However, the number of incidents being reported to the city’s Metropolitan Police increased from 17,844 to 21,083 during the same period.

Analysis revealed that eight per cent of reported hate crimes of all types in 2023 resulted in a charge, compared to 12.7 per cent three years ago and below 11 per cent five years ago.

Citing the latest data, the Liberal Democrats called on London mayor Sadiq Khan to prioritise the handling of racist and religious hate crime by the Metropolitan Police.

They also asked the Conservative government to take more action on a national scale to address the issue, highlighting the role of divisive rhetoric in exacerbating hate crimes.

Liberal Democrat London assembly member and police and crime spokesperson Caroline Pidgeon said racist and religious hate crimes leave victims traumatised and feeling unsafe due to their identity.

“It is extremely worrying that not only has the number of incidents of racist and religious hate crime actually increased in the last five years, but charge rates remain so pitifully low," Pidgeon added.

London should be an open and welcoming city for everyone, she added.

“The Tory government has implemented brutal cuts to London’s police since 2015, with the number of PCSOs on London’s streets having fallen by 32 per cent. We need to see more bobbies back on the beat to deter this sort of crime," she said.

“But we also need to see some high-level prosecutions demonstrating that racism and religious hate crimes or hate crime of any kind, are never acceptable. The current data we have unveiled shows that far too few crimes are resulting in a charge, with the situation likely to be even worse in reality than even this data suggests with many people not reporting hate crimes to the police due to a lack of faith in the service to act on the report.”

Responding to the report, a Labour spokesperson emphasised Khan's commitment to fostering a safer London for all residents.

The spokesperson told Eastern Eye, "Nobody should have to live in fear of being targeted for their race, religion, sexuality, or otherwise.

"He (Khan) has taken major steps to combat a recent rise in hate crime, including the announcement of £250,000 in new funding for the community alliance to combat hate (CATCH) on top the £2 million received from the mayor’s office for policing and crime (MOPAC) enabling it to reach thousands of victims of hate crime a year partnership and the mayor’s shared endeavour fund to extend their work in the capital."

"The Met has suffered a £1 billion real-terms spending cut under the Tory government. Despite this, Khan has put 1,300 more police on the streets to keep Londoner's safe - which is his top priority," the spokesperson added.

More For You

Southport

Floral tributes left by members of the public are seen following the fatal knife attack on three young girls in July in Southport.

Reuters

Public inquiry begins into Southport girls' murders

A PUBLIC inquiry begins on Tuesday into the murders of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport last year.

The inquiry will examine whether the attack could have been prevented and how future incidents might be avoided.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Getty

Starmer is facing a Labour backbench revolt over plans to reform special needs support in schools without guaranteeing existing legal rights. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images)

Starmer faces Labour pushback over SEND reform plans

KEIR STARMER is facing a backlash from Labour MPs over plans to reform special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, after ministers stopped short of guaranteeing legal rights for parents.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the government was committed to reforming the current system, which costs £12 billion a year. However, she did not confirm if legally enforceable rights, such as those provided by education, health and care plans (EHCPs), would remain.

Keep ReadingShow less
Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week

iStock

Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London before 30°C heatwave

Key points

  • Heavy rain and thunderstorms drench London at the start of the week
  • Temperatures set to rise with highs of 31°C expected by Thursday
  • Heatwave could be declared by Friday if warm conditions persist
  • Night-time temperatures to remain high, increasing discomfort
  • UV and pollen levels forecast to be very high across the south

Thunderstorms soak London before summer heat returns

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week as heavy rain and overnight thunderstorms swept through the capital. Monday morning saw widespread downpours, leaving commuters reaching for umbrellas and Wimbledon ticket hopefuls queuing in ponchos.

The unsettled conditions followed a burst of thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon and continued into the early hours of Monday, prompting caution across the city. The Met Office has not issued a formal weather warning for thunderstorms, but conditions remain unstable.

Keep ReadingShow less
National Trust sets vision to heal
nature and engage more Asians

Lisa Nandy, Steve Reed, René Olivieri and Hilary McGrady at a National Trust event marking its 130th anniversary

National Trust sets vision to heal nature and engage more Asians

THE National Trust, which is seeking to broaden its appeal to British Asians, is marking its 130th anniversary with a renewed commitment to restoring nature and widening access under a 10-year strategy.

Its director-general, Hilary McGrady, also aims to inspire more people to get involved in caring for the country’s natural resources.

Keep ReadingShow less
 7/7 bombings

The King said the public should draw on the 'extraordinary courage and compassion' shown in response to the attacks. (Photo credit: X/@RoyalFamily)

Starmer and King Charles pay tribute on 20th anniversary of 7/7 bombings

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer and King Charles on Monday paid tribute to the unity shown in the aftermath of the 7 July bombings in London, as the country marked 20 years since the attacks.

On 7 July 2005, four Islamist extremists carried out suicide bombings at Aldgate Station, Edgware Road, King's Cross and Tavistock Square. The attacks killed 52 people and injured hundreds more.

Keep ReadingShow less