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Recognise attacks on rough sleepers as hate crimes, say experts Recognise attacks on rough sleepers as hate crimes, say experts
(about 1 hour later)
Violent attacks on rough sleepers should be recorded as hate crimes, experts have said, amid concerns that assaults are increasing in severity and number.Violent attacks on rough sleepers should be recorded as hate crimes, experts have said, amid concerns that assaults are increasing in severity and number.
The calls follow a spate of attacks on people sleeping on the streets in the UK. Last week a man was left with burns after his tent was set on fire in a busy Welsh shopping district just days another man drop-kicked a rough sleeper in a tent in Hull city centre. Last month, police investigated after a homeless man was burned when a lit firework was placed in his pocket in Liverpool.The calls follow a spate of attacks on people sleeping on the streets in the UK. Last week a man was left with burns after his tent was set on fire in a busy Welsh shopping district just days another man drop-kicked a rough sleeper in a tent in Hull city centre. Last month, police investigated after a homeless man was burned when a lit firework was placed in his pocket in Liverpool.
A Guardian investigation has found that only a handful of police forces record crimes against rough sleepers and the homeless as a specific category, prompting leading campaigners and charities to call for forces to improve their record-keeping and attitude to dealing with attacks.A Guardian investigation has found that only a handful of police forces record crimes against rough sleepers and the homeless as a specific category, prompting leading campaigners and charities to call for forces to improve their record-keeping and attitude to dealing with attacks.
'A lot of the attacks are alcohol-related and the homeless are easy prey''A lot of the attacks are alcohol-related and the homeless are easy prey'
The Law Commission, the independent body that recommends legal reforms in England and Wales, is conducting a review of hate-crime legislation in the UK, which could lead to an expansion of “protected categories”, currently limited to race, religion, trans identity, sexual orientation and disability, about which police forces are obliged to collect data.The Law Commission, the independent body that recommends legal reforms in England and Wales, is conducting a review of hate-crime legislation in the UK, which could lead to an expansion of “protected categories”, currently limited to race, religion, trans identity, sexual orientation and disability, about which police forces are obliged to collect data.
The Guardian asked all 45 territorial police forces in the UK how many attacks against the homeless they had recorded in the past five years. Most did not record the information, but data from nine forces in the UK found there were 4,940 attacks recorded against people described in police records as homeless, having no fixed abode or rough sleeping in the past five years, increasing from 493 in 2014 to 1,259 in 2018. Cases include murder, modern slavery and serious assault.The Guardian asked all 45 territorial police forces in the UK how many attacks against the homeless they had recorded in the past five years. Most did not record the information, but data from nine forces in the UK found there were 4,940 attacks recorded against people described in police records as homeless, having no fixed abode or rough sleeping in the past five years, increasing from 493 in 2014 to 1,259 in 2018. Cases include murder, modern slavery and serious assault.
Stephen Robertson, the chief executive of The Big Issue Foundation, said a more “strategic response” was needed to tackle “an increasingly alarming trend”. Stephen Robertson, the chief executive of the Big Issue Foundation, said a more “strategic response” was needed to tackle “an increasingly alarming trend”.
“I don’t doubt these indicators from forces broadly point to the fact marginalised people are increasingly being the recipients of violence, aggression and abuse … These attacks need to be recognised as ‘hate crimes’ to see them for what they really are and to engender a more strategic response to an increasingly alarming trend,” he said.“I don’t doubt these indicators from forces broadly point to the fact marginalised people are increasingly being the recipients of violence, aggression and abuse … These attacks need to be recognised as ‘hate crimes’ to see them for what they really are and to engender a more strategic response to an increasingly alarming trend,” he said.
In October, Aaron Jones, a 33-year-old decorator, was given a community order after he admitted to spray painting Michael Cash, a homeless man, while he sat outside a supermarket in Middlesbrough. Jones filmed himself during the attack saying “this is how we deal with beggars on the street”. Cash was found dead in a cemetery four days later, although it is not known if the attack is related to his death. In October, Aaron Jones, a 33-year-old decorator, was given a community order after he admitted to spray painting Michael Cash, a homeless man, while he sat outside a supermarket in Middlesbrough. Jones filmed himself during the attack saying “this is how we deal with beggars on the street”. Cash was found dead in a cemetery four days later, although it is not known if the attack was related to his death.
Julie Prendergast, the service manager at the Whitechapel homeless centre in Liverpool, said she hears about attacks a lot, including people being urinated on and having their shoes stolen. “It would be useful to have [these sorts of attacks] categorised as hate crime to have the statistics recorded,” she said. Julie Prendergast, the service manager at the Whitechapel homeless centre in Liverpool, said she often heard about attacks, including people being urinated on and having their shoes stolen. “It would be useful to have [these sorts of attacks] categorised as hate crime to have the statistics recorded,” she said.
Earlier this year the Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson made similar calls in a letter to the home secretary, Sajid Javid, when he called for them to be included as a “protected category”. Earlier this year the Liverpool mayor, Joe Anderson, made similar calls in a letter to the home secretary, Sajid Javid, when he called for them to be included as a “protected category”.
Anderson said people who sleep rough “face ongoing risks above and beyond most other groups”, citing Crisis findings from 2016, which said nearly a third of those surveyed said they had been deliberately hit or had faced other types of violence. About 45% said they had been intimidated or threatened while 7% had been urinated on.Anderson said people who sleep rough “face ongoing risks above and beyond most other groups”, citing Crisis findings from 2016, which said nearly a third of those surveyed said they had been deliberately hit or had faced other types of violence. About 45% said they had been intimidated or threatened while 7% had been urinated on.
Wooden sleeping pods offer privacy to London's homelessWooden sleeping pods offer privacy to London's homeless
Although Crisis does not believe attacks on rough sleepers should be treated as hate crimes, the organisation said “all forces should keep a thorough record of these appalling acts” and said perpetrators will continue to get away with attacks without further safeguards. Although Crisis does not believe attacks on rough sleepers should be treated as hate crimes, the organisation said “all forces should keep a thorough record of these appalling acts” and said perpetrators would continue to get away with attacks without further safeguards.
Jon Sparkes, the chief executive of Crisis, said: “Recent reports of an increase in violence against rough sleepers underlines just how dangerous life on the streets can be. As well as having to contend with these often unprovoked attacks, our own research shows 53% of rough sleepers do not report abuse and violence against them to the police, mainly due to the expectation that nothing will be done.”Jon Sparkes, the chief executive of Crisis, said: “Recent reports of an increase in violence against rough sleepers underlines just how dangerous life on the streets can be. As well as having to contend with these often unprovoked attacks, our own research shows 53% of rough sleepers do not report abuse and violence against them to the police, mainly due to the expectation that nothing will be done.”
Greg Beales, Shelter’s campaign director, said: “Attacks against homeless people must be taken more seriously, particularly at a time when street homelessness is rising. That’s why it’s so important that the government follows through on its commitment to rigorously investigate deaths and serious harm as part of the rough sleeping strategy. Improved record-keeping that shines a light on the true scale of these attacks will help.”Greg Beales, Shelter’s campaign director, said: “Attacks against homeless people must be taken more seriously, particularly at a time when street homelessness is rising. That’s why it’s so important that the government follows through on its commitment to rigorously investigate deaths and serious harm as part of the rough sleeping strategy. Improved record-keeping that shines a light on the true scale of these attacks will help.”
HomelessnessHomelessness
CrimeCrime
Poverty
Social exclusion
Wales
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