A report has been issued by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services and sets out findings and makes recommendations aimed at improving policing practice and the service to victims.
The Inspectorate found many examples of good practice from both individual police officers and staff as well as as positive practice in the approach of most of the forces visited, which they think should be adopted more widely.
Crimes motivated by hate can have an intense, enduring and sometimes devastating effect on victims and communities. It is particularly distressing to be a victim of crime because of who you are or what you believe.
Although good practice was evident there were a number of areas, in some forces, that would need improvement. This was mainly because in those forces more positive practice should be adopted because:
*Incorrectly flagged hate incidents and crimes
*Did not gather comprehensive data about hate crime victims
*Did not gather sufficient intelligence about hate crime
*Did not always provide adequate information to hate crime victims
*Did not consistently refer hate crime victims to support services
The report identified that a consistent level of training needs to be in place, to support police officers and staff and enable them to respond appropriately to victims.