Report suggests current responses to hate crime in the UK are failing and letting down victims

Hate crime victims throughout the United Kingdom are being let down by the Government and criminal justice agencies, according to a new report undertaken by Leicester experts in collaboration with Amnesty International UK.

Through a series of case studies the report, which is based on research by our Centre for Hate Studies, illustrates significant levels of under-reporting, inadequate support provision for victims, insufficient training for police officers and low investment in educational and rehabilitative interventions.

Dr Stevie-Jade Hardy, Lead Researcher from the Centre for Hate Studies, said: “Recent spikes in hate crime which have followed the terrorist attacks in Manchester and London show that existing responses to hate crime are not working.

“Research shows that the impact of hate crime can be devastating for victims, spreading fear amongst communities and so the Government must do more to address the problems raised in this report.”

The report puts forwards a number of recommendations, including more effective awareness-raising campaigns, increased prioritisation of community engagement, better training for frontline practitioners, and greater investment in victim support and preventative programmes.

Professor Neil Chakraborti, Director of the Centre for Hate Studies and Head of the Department of Criminology, said: “In the context of escalating tensions and rising levels of prejudice we all need responses to hate crime to be swift, supportive and effective. All too often victims are let down by responses which do not address their needs, experiences or expectations, and as such the recommendations within this report are both timely and instructive.”