North East must “stand together” amid rise in race and faith-related hate crimes, says police boss

The North East must “stand together” amid an over 10% rise in both race and faith based hate crimes, says Northumbria Police boss.

Racial and faith-related hate crimes across the Northumbria Police patch have both risen over 10% since last June, according to a Police and Crime Commissioner’s report. The number of hate crimes logged by the police rose from 2,275 by June 2024 to 2,561 by June  this year, marking a 13% rise. Faith-based hate crime rose from 201 to 223 in the same period, an increase of 11%.

In addition, the report highlights a 41% increase in hate-related assaults against police officers, equating to 42 more offences over the past 12 months. The report will be open to discussion for councillors across the Northumbria Police patch next week at Gateshead Civic Centre.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “The rise in faith and race related incidents here in Northumbria reflects growing tensions up and down the country. From racist graffiti we’ve seen recently in Birtley in Gateshead, to the tragic synagogue attack in Manchester last week– these are not isolated events but a troubling pattern of hate and division; a pattern that needs to end.”

The racist graffiti daubing cars, front doors, and even a primary school wall in Barley Mow, sparked local and political outrage. Gateshead Councillors on both sides of the chamber condemned the vandalism, which police in earlier reporting stated they were treating as a hate crime.

The PCC continued: “Although I wish nobody was ever targeted with hateful crimes, I am pleased that people are coming forward to report these crimes: without that, victims suffer in silence and offenders aren’t brought to justice.

“As Police and Crime Commissioner, I have set out a plan for safer streets and stronger communities which states tackling hate crime and community cohesion as a top priority. I am committed to funding a range of training and educational activities to drive cultural change and will keep working with communities and partners through tension monitoring groups.

We need to keep doing all we can to engage with everyone and encourage reporting by making it easier and safer through our safe reporting centres and engagement activity, as well as ensuring people have access to victim support services helping them to cope and recover from their experiences.

“Discrimination, hatred or violence targeted at a person because of their race, religion or belief has no place in our communities here in Northumbria. Right now is a time for standing together – to reject hate in all its forms, support those who are targeted, and work with each other to ensure respect and safety are felt by everyone.”

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