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Hate crime against London police officers rises | |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Racially or religiously aggravated hate crimes against London police officers went up more than 50% in two years. | |
A total of 667 police officers were victims of racist or religious hate crimes in 2016-17, up from 428 in 2014-15, a BBC Freedom of Information request has shown. | |
The Metropolitan Police Federation said the 56% increase was "abhorrent". | |
The Met Police said it was committed to prosecuting those that abuse its officers in this manner. | The Met Police said it was committed to prosecuting those that abuse its officers in this manner. |
A total of 4,215 officers employed by the Met Police are black or minority ethnic, making up 13.4% of the force, compared to 40% of the capital's population overall. | A total of 4,215 officers employed by the Met Police are black or minority ethnic, making up 13.4% of the force, compared to 40% of the capital's population overall. |
Leroy Logan MBE, a former superintendent and founding member of the Metropolitan Black Police Association, said he was "saddened" by the findings. | Leroy Logan MBE, a former superintendent and founding member of the Metropolitan Black Police Association, said he was "saddened" by the findings. |
"We're talking about things that happened 20, 30 years ago but are coming back," he said. | "We're talking about things that happened 20, 30 years ago but are coming back," he said. |
Mr Logan said he experienced racism as a police officer, both inside the police force and on the streets. | Mr Logan said he experienced racism as a police officer, both inside the police force and on the streets. |
"When I was a constable, I'd get it internally and externally, especially from youngsters," he said. | "When I was a constable, I'd get it internally and externally, especially from youngsters," he said. |
"One time I was in an estate in Islington and I heard someone shout the n-word from the balcony. I think unfortunately we are not seeing public attitudes improving today." | "One time I was in an estate in Islington and I heard someone shout the n-word from the balcony. I think unfortunately we are not seeing public attitudes improving today." |
As well as the 667 police officers, 54 civilian police staff were victims of hate crime in 2016-17, bringing the total to almost two offences each day last year. | |
Offences ranged from harassment to racially or religiously aggravated grievous bodily harm but also included non-violent offences, which highlighted "the welcome rise in victims willing to report hate crime to the police," the force said. | Offences ranged from harassment to racially or religiously aggravated grievous bodily harm but also included non-violent offences, which highlighted "the welcome rise in victims willing to report hate crime to the police," the force said. |
Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, condemned the rise as "abhorrent". | Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, condemned the rise as "abhorrent". |
He said: "In this day and age, I just don't get it." | He said: "In this day and age, I just don't get it." |
"But we're doing everything we can to assist our colleagues in any way we can when it's brought to our attention." | "But we're doing everything we can to assist our colleagues in any way we can when it's brought to our attention." |
Louise Haigh, Labour's shadow police minister, said: "There must be a zero tolerance approach to race or religious hate crime and it is vital officers are able to carry out their roles protecting the public." | Louise Haigh, Labour's shadow police minister, said: "There must be a zero tolerance approach to race or religious hate crime and it is vital officers are able to carry out their roles protecting the public." |
The Met said it was committed to increasing the rate of formal sanctions - including charges and cautions - and successful prosecutions. | The Met said it was committed to increasing the rate of formal sanctions - including charges and cautions - and successful prosecutions. |
The figures may include crimes against officers from other police forces, but all of the offences took place in the Met's jurisdiction. | The figures may include crimes against officers from other police forces, but all of the offences took place in the Met's jurisdiction. |
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