Hate crimes rise by nearly 30 per cent in West Midlands
Hate crime in the West Midlands rose by nearly 30 per cent during the last financial year, police chiefs have revealed.
Around 4,000 attacks were reported during 2016/17 - a rise of 29 per cent compared to 12 months earlier.
West Midlands Police Assistant Chief Constable Alex Murray said the force witnessed more hate crimes in the wake of terror attacks and during summer months.
He said only around one in five of incidents reported led to a conviction but that the force had a 90 per cent conviction rate when it had enough evidence to bring charges.
A hate crime is defined as any criminal offence motivated by hostility or prejudice because of the victim’s religion, race, nationality, sexual orientation, disability, or gender.
And Asst Ch Cons Murray said it was likely the data only scratched the surface of what was really happening in the West Midlands.
He said: "Hate crime is highly under-reported - 90 per cent of disability hate crime is never reported which gives us significant cause for concern.
"When we charge someone we get a guilty."
He added: "After each terror incident we see a spike in hate crime and then it goes back down again."
Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson insisted the force would continue to take a tough stance on hate crime.
He said: "We are all extremely proud that the West Midlands is a diverse region, where people from different backgrounds and cultures get on. That will not be allowed to change.
"Hate crime is not acceptable and tackling the crime is a priority of mine and West Midlands Police have a zero-tolerance policy on it. If it is reported it will be investigated.
"People in the West Midlands have different views on certain issues, but one thing that unites us all is that we are tolerant, decent people who get on with each other. Hate crimes have been committed by a tiny minority of people.
"If you are a victim of, or see any evidence of hate crime please report it. It is only by reporting the crime that we can tackle it."
Recent figures revealed Sandwell saw the number of reported incidents surge by 42 per cent over the past three years, while it is also up by 29 per cent in Walsall, 24 per cent in Wolverhampton, and 22 per cent in Dudley.
