Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
MOST HATE CRIMES GOING UNPUNISHED
PSNI alerted to eight incidents a day last year
ONLY a small number of alleged hate crime perpetrators receive jail terms, Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland has revealed.
More than eight incidents every day were reported to the PSNI last year.
Some cases were not prosecuted due to failure to meet the evidential standard to get a conviction, a report found.
Chief inspector Barry Mcguigan said: “This concludes the level of hate crimes remains stubbornly high despite progress made by criminal justice agencies.”
And he added when the number of people who don’t report incidents through fear are taken into account, the situation “becomes more glaring”.
Violence motivated by racism was responsible for the greatest number of offences.
There were 3,108 incidents and 573 files sent to prosecutors across all THE Northern Ireland Institute For The Disabled has revealed a major new initiative aimed at helping homeless hostel residents transition to independent living.
The Keys To Life project at Utility Street Hostel, Belfast, was launched by DUP MP Emma Little-pengelly.
Backed by the Big Lottery’s Awards For All scheme, the fourmonth project will bring together 50 residents of the NIID city centre site.
They will take part in an accredited Developing Skills For Life course, which will include sports, leisure activities, cookery and outdoor pursuits.
The project has been designed to equip residents with new skills as well as target prominent issues within the homeless community – such as mental health, self-esteem and independent living.
Ms Little-pengelly said: “It is great to see positive change in action within South Belfast.
“This project gives people a second chance.”
The hostel provides 59 places year-round and runs at full capacity 91.5% of the time.
It aims to assist service users to get to the point where they can enter either statutory, social voluntary or community or private housing provision. categories in 2015/16. A total of 270 convictions were obtained.
Statistics showed the “small numbers of alleged perpetrators getting jail sentences or probation compared with the number of incidents recorded”.
The PSNI record crime as hate-motivated using a “perception-based” system while the Public Prosecution Service take an evidence-based approach.
Mr Mcguigan added the lack of a consistent approach by “first responders” with victims was unacceptable – and would be aided by a review of legislation.