Rise in hate crime reports to police across the Black Country

A Freedom of Information request found there were 1,633 hate crimes reported in the four boroughs last year – compared to 1,472 in 2016.

The increase of 161 reports works out as an 11 per cent year-on-year rise.

Walsall saw the largest growth in hate crime reports, with 74 more last year than 2016.

The figures show Wolverhampton actually recorded fewer reports, with 375 in 2017 compared to 389 the previous year.

Brexit to blame?

Midlands MP Preet Gill, who is a former Sandwell Council cabinet member, said hate crime has been on the rise since the EU Referendum in 2016.

She said: “To hear that there’s been an increase isn’t surprising. I think we’ve seen so much hate recently and it’s been on the increase since the referendum decision.

"We’ve also seen a lot more online hate which has increased massively – particularly against women. But people from different religions or faith groups are also being subjected to it.

“On the one hand it’s positive that more people are reporting these things, but the problem is still there and it’s much bigger than we think it is.”

Sandwell saw 624 reports in 2017 compared to 463 in 2016, while in Dudley there were 291 in 2017 up from 251 in 2016.

Hate crime 'not acceptable'

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: “We are all extremely proud that the Black Country is a diverse area, 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 police priority.

“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.