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| Race hate crime on UK railways soared after Brexit vote, figures show Race hate crime on UK railways soared after Brexit vote, figures show | |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| The number of suspected race hate crimes on Britain’s railways jumped sharply following the EU referendum, figures show. | The number of suspected race hate crimes on Britain’s railways jumped sharply following the EU referendum, figures show. |
| In the fortnight after the vote, British Transport police (BTP) recorded 119 incidents including allegations of racist abuse and attacks at stations – equivalent to eight a day. | In the fortnight after the vote, British Transport police (BTP) recorded 119 incidents including allegations of racist abuse and attacks at stations – equivalent to eight a day. |
| The number of alleged race hate offences logged by the force between 24 June and 7 July amounts to a 57% increase on the previous two weeks, and an even sharper rise of 78% on the equivalent period in 2015. | The number of alleged race hate offences logged by the force between 24 June and 7 July amounts to a 57% increase on the previous two weeks, and an even sharper rise of 78% on the equivalent period in 2015. |
| The findings – described by one campaign group as “very worrying” – chime with a spike revealed in data from forces around the country. A spate of reported incidents sparked fears of a wave of xenophobic abuse following the Brexit vote. | The findings – described by one campaign group as “very worrying” – chime with a spike revealed in data from forces around the country. A spate of reported incidents sparked fears of a wave of xenophobic abuse following the Brexit vote. |
| BTP statistics for the two weeks following the referendum, obtained by the Press Association through a freedom of information (FoI) request, show that: | BTP statistics for the two weeks following the referendum, obtained by the Press Association through a freedom of information (FoI) request, show that: |
| Bruce Williamson from the campaign group Railfuture said: “Every passenger should be able to enter a station and board a train without fear of abuse or worse. These latest figures are very worrying, and they highlight the continuing need for staff presence at stations and on board trains.” | Bruce Williamson from the campaign group Railfuture said: “Every passenger should be able to enter a station and board a train without fear of abuse or worse. These latest figures are very worrying, and they highlight the continuing need for staff presence at stations and on board trains.” |
| Rose Simkins, the chief executive of charity Stop Hate UK, said: “While we are encouraged that people have found confidence to report incidents due to the national publicity on the issue, it is a sad fact that the numbers of all hate incidents are extremely under-reported. | Rose Simkins, the chief executive of charity Stop Hate UK, said: “While we are encouraged that people have found confidence to report incidents due to the national publicity on the issue, it is a sad fact that the numbers of all hate incidents are extremely under-reported. |
| “We consistently hear from victims that one of the reasons they do not report incidents is a lack of confidence in authorities to deal with the issue. We would encourage BTP to look closely at the type of incidents being reported and take the opportunity to assess how effective their hate crime strategies are.” | “We consistently hear from victims that one of the reasons they do not report incidents is a lack of confidence in authorities to deal with the issue. We would encourage BTP to look closely at the type of incidents being reported and take the opportunity to assess how effective their hate crime strategies are.” |
| BTP polices Britain’s railways as well as a number of urban networks such as London Underground. | BTP polices Britain’s railways as well as a number of urban networks such as London Underground. |
| Supt Chris Horton of BTP said: “Hate crime is totally unacceptable and has no place in society or on the rail network. | Supt Chris Horton of BTP said: “Hate crime is totally unacceptable and has no place in society or on the rail network. |
| “We are aware that hate crime is under-reported and so in order to tackle it effectively, we need the public to stand up to those committing these sickening acts and report it to us. We will take every report seriously. | “We are aware that hate crime is under-reported and so in order to tackle it effectively, we need the public to stand up to those committing these sickening acts and report it to us. We will take every report seriously. |
| “We will always work tirelessly to ensure those who threaten or intimidate passengers are brought to justice.” | “We will always work tirelessly to ensure those who threaten or intimidate passengers are brought to justice.” |
| Last month it was revealed that hate crime reports to police across Britain in the week before and the week after the 23 June vote increased by 42%, to more than 3,000. It later emerged that in the four weeks from the middle of June more than 6,000 alleged hate crimes and incidents were reported to police in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. There was a slight fall after an initial spike, but the volume of reports was still about a third higher than the equivalent period last year. | Last month it was revealed that hate crime reports to police across Britain in the week before and the week after the 23 June vote increased by 42%, to more than 3,000. It later emerged that in the four weeks from the middle of June more than 6,000 alleged hate crimes and incidents were reported to police in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. There was a slight fall after an initial spike, but the volume of reports was still about a third higher than the equivalent period last year. |
| Ministers have launched a hate crime action plan, including steps to tackle offences perpetrated on public transport. | Ministers have launched a hate crime action plan, including steps to tackle offences perpetrated on public transport. |