The fact that hate crime has more than doubled in the last five years must serve as an urgent wake up call - Abbott

Diane Abbott MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, responding to new statistics showing a 17% rise in hate crimes in England and Wales, said:

"The fact that hate crime has more than doubled in the last five years must serve as an urgent wake up call. We must stand up to hatred and discrimination wherever it is found.

“The Tories promised to tackle burning injustices but they are clearly not tackling the injustice of people being attacked simply because of their religion, sexuality, the colour of their skin or their disability.

“Tory cuts to the police continue to undermine the fight against crime. Labour will hire 10,000 extra police officers to work in the community to help tackle all forms of hate crime.”

Ends

Notes to editors

• ·         Hate Crime, England and Wales, 2017/18 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/748287/hate-crime-1718-hosb2018.pdf