Hundreds of hate crimes reported
MORE than 500 hate crimes have been reported to police across Halton with the majority concerning racism.
Widnes Local Policing Unit (LPU) has received a total of 286 reports between 2011-12 and 2016-17 to date.
Most of the reports – 222 – were to do with racist abuse while 32 were homophobic in nature and another 27 were focused on those with disabilities.
Four instances of transphobic abuse were also reported, as well as one hate crime based on religion or beliefs.
In Runcorn over the same time, 285 hate crime reports were received by officers.
Like in Widnes, the majority of reports were concerned with racism with 188 recorded.
However there were more than double the amount of homophobic reports received with 69.
There were also fewer instances of hate crime incidents based on disability with 18 reported.
One fewer transphobic hate crime was also reported in Runcorn compared to Widnes, but there were seven instances of ones based on religion or beliefs.
The figures were released to the Weekly News by Cheshire police following a Freedom Of Information request.
The number for Widnes grew from 24 in 2011-12 to 36 in the following year before shooting up dramatically to 61 hate crimes by 2013-14.
The figures increased to 66 the following year before falling to 50 in 2015-16 and 49 in the current reporting year.
In Runcorn the number of reported hate crimes has steadily climbed over the years with 37 in 2011-12, 39 in 201213, and 43 in 2013-14.
The incidents police were made aware of then grew slightly to 44 before reaching a peak of 62 in 2015-16, with 60 crimes reported so far in 2016-17.
Inspector David Gordon said: “As a force we understand the impact hate crimes can have on victims and the community and the confidence and courage it takes for them to come forward.
“I hope victims know that by speaking to officers they can be reassured we will do everything we can to provide them with the help they need to get through the process.
“Our focus will always be to support victims and recognise the impact this can have on them as well as the community as a whole.