Agenda item

Disability, Hate Crimes and Disabled People as Witnesses to Crime

Minutes:

Northants West Hate Crime Unit

 

DS Paul Colhoun from the Northants West Hate Crime Unit gave a presentation.  He confirmed that the Unit had detected and dealt with all reported hate crimes in the Northampton area for the past six years.   The last four years had also included disablist crimes.  The Unit dealt with victims and offenders to progress the matter to Court.  His colleague Luisa Jepson was the Intervention Officer and she also provided support to victims if the matter progressed to Court.  She also worked with other agencies.  Figures for reported disablist crimes were: -

 

2004                           58

2005                           70

2006                           36

2007                           47

2008                           22 (For the first 6 months of the financial year.)

 

DS Colhoun confirmed that there had been a significant decrease in the number of reported disablist crimes.

Luisa Jepson confirmed that they met people to raise awareness of hate crimes and that there were other organisations who would provide support.  She confirmed that there was a Disability Support Line which people could register for.  If people needed to call the Police they would have their details on a database and would be able to speak directly to a call handler.  There was also a text service for people with hearing impediments or hard of hearing.  She confirmed that they would like to hear from people to improve the service. A registration form and further details could be obtained from Lynn Coppin on 08453 700700 ext 8326 or email lynn.coppin@northants.police.uk.  Lynn could also be contacted for the registration of people with hearing impediments on the texting service.

Paul Crofts confirmed he accepted the role as Chair of Northants West Hate Incidents Forum in a voluntary capacity in September 2007.  The Forum was made up of voluntary and statutory sector organisations which looked at hate incidents and how they were dealt with and made recommendations for improvements.  He confirmed that most hate incidents were reported to the Police but all agencies would work with disabled people

 

Victim Support

 

Julie Buckingham from Victim Support confirmed that their volunteers covered all crimes and gave practical and emotional support to the victims.  They also had a witness service for people going to Court and received referrals from individuals and the Police.

 

T. Welsh commented that problems arose when evidence had to be provided where a person had a certain disability.  For example a blind person would not be able to identify their attackers appearance.  DS Colhoun confirmed that the Police tried to meet all of the victims’ needs and looked at making improvements to their strategy. 

 

In response to a question from L. Barber all incidents were graded and hate crime was considered as a serious grade being 2 or 3 whereas emergencies were dealt with as grade 1. He confirmed that any issues raised would be followed up.

 

DS Colhoun confirmed that no disablist hate crimes were prosecuted through the Courts last year, but there were other ways of dealing with the issue as directed by the Home Office:  if the offender was a young person and had not been previously convicted then they would be given a reprimand or a final warning.  If the offender was an adult then they would be issued with a caution.  An Anti-Social Behaviour Order could also be issued.  If there were any complaints in respect of the Police then they could go to the Professional Standards Department

 

DS Colhoun confirmed that hate incident was defined by the victim.  If they believed it was a hate crime then it would be treated as one and not disputed.  Everyone had a responsibility to challenge hate incidents and the best place was at the point of occurrence.

 

T. Harvey felt that if people had a mental health issue and were victims of hate crime that the Police would treat it, as no crime had been committed.  DS Colhoun stated victims with mental health issues were treated appropriately. 

 

B. Barber advised that whatever the crime was, to the victim it was a trauma and should be treated delicately and with respect.