Explained: Reason why racially-aggravated rapes are not logged as ‘hate incidents’ in West Midlands Police data
When a Freedom of Information request from Express & Star to West Midlands Police was refused on the basis that “rape is not a racially aggravated crime”, it raised a simple but troubling question: how does the law actually treat hate in serious offences?
An FOI submitted by the Express & Star to West Midlands Police regarding reports of racially-aggravated rape was refused on the grounds that “rape is not a racially aggravated crime”.
The refusal came despite the same force previously appealing for information after two alleged cases of racially aggravated rape in the Black Country, including incidents in Walsall and Oldbury.
So, today we take a look at why?
What is considered a ‘hate crime’?
When an FOI is refused on the grounds that data is not documented in a certain way - it is always best to ask the police why! Which is exactly what we did…
The response said: “Upon starting our search for the above question it has been identified that rape is not a racially aggravated crime. Below are racially aggravated crimes categories.
“These involve any underlying offence made worse by racial motivation:
