Hate crime hits six year high in the West Midlands
Hate crime is at its highest level in six years in the West Midlands, according to new figures.
There were more than 3,000 crimes with a racist or discriminatory element in the past year - the highest level since 2008/09.
Eighty-three per cent were racially motivated. Of the remaining crimes, just under nine per cent were homophobic, just over four per cent were religious, 2.2 per cent related to disability.
There were 55 crimes perceived to be anti-Islamic, 14 crimes were anti-Semitic, and 28 were believed to be due to mobility impairment.
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Yvonne Mosquito said she was 'saddened' by the rise.
She said: "I must say I am saddened that we have seen this rise but on the other hand if it means more people are coming forward and reporting it because they have confidence in the police, then that is a good thing."
Chief constable Chris Sims said he believed West Midlands Police had better recording of crimes than other forces.
Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: "I am pleased that the police are identifying more hate crime and responding to it robustly. The public should have confidence that the police take these crimes very seriously.
"The West Midlands is a diverse and vibrant region where people from different backgrounds get on and live together peacefully. Hate crimes undermine that spirit and won't be tolerated."
There were 23 murders during 2014/15, the lowest since 2002 and half that recorded in 2002/03 and 2004/05. No murder was committed during 2014-15 with a firearm.
Mr Jamieson said: "This is welcome news, but one murder is still one too many. We will continue to work hard to tackle the root causes of crime to make the West Midlands an ever safer place."
Both burglary of dwellings and robbery are at their lowest ever recorded levels. Burglary of dwellings fell by 1,276 offences and ten per cent fall whilst robbery fell by 8.8 per cent with 474 fewer victims.
