‘Race hate’ crimes on UK railways soar after EU poll

SUSPECTED race hate crimes on Britain’s railways jumped sharply following the EU referendum, new figures show.

In the fortnight after the poll, British Transport Police recorded 119 incidents, including allegations of racist abuse and attacks at stations – equivalent to eight every day.

The number of alleged race hate offences logged by the force between June 24 and July 7 amounts to a 57 per cent increase compared with the previous two weeks – and an even sharper rise of 78 per cent on the equivalent period last year.

The findings 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 after the referendum, obtained following a Freedom of Information request, show that :

There were 11 alleged race hate offences on June 25 – the day after the outcome of the vote was announced

At the time the FoI response was issued earlier this month, 22 people had been arrested in relation to the cases recorded in the fortnight after the referendum was held.

Bruce Williamson, of campaign group Railfuture, said: “Every passenger should be able to enter a station and board a train without fear of abuse.

“These latest figures are very worrying, and they highlight the need for staff presence.”