The head of a leading Liverpool LGBTQ+ charity says the high rates of unresolved hate crimes in the city 'comes as no surprise' as the country faces an 'endemic' of discrimination and intolerance.
Between 2019 and August 2022, Merseyside police received 1,804 reports of both violent and non-violent LGBT+ hate crimes in the city. Some 82 of these reports (4.5%) resulted in charges being brought, with 50 of these being made by post.
Of 1,642 homophobic hate crimes reported in the past three years, only 79 resulted in a charge (4.8%). Of 162 transphobic hate crimes reported, only three resulted in charges (1.8%).
READ MORE: Attacks on LGBT+ people go unpunished in Liverpool as 95% of hate crimes remain unsolved
Anthony Hopkinson, CEO of Sahir House, which supports HIV+ and LGBT+ people in Merseyside, said: "It’s extremely worrying reading but it comes as no surprise. The Government’s own research has shown that reported LGBTQ+ hate crime has continue to grow exponentially - and with four in five anti-LGBT hate crimes going unreported, these figures are clearly evidence of a much larger endemic problem.
"The situation across Merseyside in terms of LGBTQ+ discrimination, intolerance and associated hate crime is complex and nuanced. The Liverpool City Region is renowned for the welcoming inclusive nature of its residents and yet we cant shy away from the fact that our community faces unrelenting hostility and prejudice from some quarters.
"I would suggest that the pandemic and current economic conditions may have triggered - and continue to trigger and intensify - discriminatory behaviour."
2021 saw the highest rates of homophobic hate crimes in the past three years, with 132 violent incidents and 468 non-violent ones reported to police. This year, 77 violent incidents and 319 non-violent ones were reported between January and August.
Reports of transphobic hate crimes are also on the rise, as more incidents were reported to police in the first eight months of 2022 than in any other year since 2019. Ten violent assaults and 39 non-violent offences have been reported so far.
Merseyside Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said efforts were being made to crack down on hate crimes.
She said: “Merseyside is known to be an incredibly welcoming, diverse and inclusive region. Homophobic and transphobic hate crimes go against everything we stand for and will not be tolerated.
“Merseyside Police and I work closely with a wide range of partners to raise awareness of this issue and the support which is available to try to ensure anyone affected has the confidence to speak out. It is my hope that this increase demonstrates that this work is effective.
“I would encourage anyone affected by a hate crime to contact Merseyside Police. They are committed to tackling these harmful and insidious crimes and have a team of dedicated hate crime coordinators to provide tailored support to a victim throughout an investigation. I monitor how they carry out this work through my regular public scrutiny meetings.
“I also recognise that some people still don’t feel comfortable speaking to the police. That’s why I commission Stop Hate UK to provide a 24/7 independent reporting helpline to ensure anyone affected by hate can report it anonymously and in confidence, without contacting the police.
“A huge amount of work is undertaken to promote this service. Since taking office, my team and I have undertaken 85 hate crime ‘walkabouts’ where we’ve united partners to promote Stop Hate UK in areas where hate crimes have taken place. We also have a dedicated network of independent hate crime reporting centres across the region in venues such as fire stations, libraries and community centres."
A number of local organisations provide support to LGBTQ+ victims of hate crime, including Citizens Advice Liverpool, which has offered help to nearly 1,000 people in the past four years.
Liverpool City Council and its partners have scheduled a series of events this upcoming Hate Crime Awareness Week (beginning October 8) to raise awareness of hate crime and to provide information about the support services available to victims.
Ms Spurrell said: “We know we can’t rest on our laurels. Even one incident is too many and we are always looking for way to improve the safety of all our communities.
“In response to a number of appalling LGBTQ+ attacks last summer, I united with LCR Pride, Stop Hate UK, Merseyside Police and a number of other partners to launch the You’re Safe Here training.
“Since then, 600 staff working in 70 organisations working in the city centre at night have undertaken this free training designed to equip them with the practical skills and knowledge to support anyone affected by hate and enable their venues to be accredited as ‘safe spaces’. I’m keen to roll this training out even wider in the months ahead."
'You're Safe Here', run by LCR Pride Foundation, provides venues and businesses with training and resources to support victims of crime.
Ms Spurrell added: “Long-term, education is key; we must promote diversity, equality and inclusivity to young people of all ages in our schools, colleges and universities. This cannot be a one-off campaign; it must be embedded generation after generation if we are to truly change mindsets. There is some great work going on already, but we need sustainable long-term funding and support from Government if we are to make long-lasting change.
“In the meantime, I would urge anyone who has seen or experienced a hate crime to speak out. It is vital this inexcusable behaviour is called out in order that we put a stop to it for good.”
Anthony said: "I'll be working hard to ensure that LGBTQ+ voices are heard and to ensure their needs are reflected in tackling hate crime from beginning to end, from understanding the drivers of hate crime and dealing with its causes to providing improved support to victims.
"Over the course of the last few months, I have spoken with local councillors and city leaders as well as our Metro Mayor on this matter. I have been encouraged by their shared commitment to protecting our community from hostility, violence and bigotry. They appreciate that tolerance is not something we can take for granted and that there is much work to be done to better support our community.
"There has been a tangible desire for collaborative action and I sense that together we will be able to develop some innovative early intervention initiatives to challenge the beliefs and attitudes which drive such crime."
READ MORE
Mum replied 'that's heavy that' after being arrested for attempted murder
Ninja issues warning to anyone buying an air fryer after 'unprecedented' demand
Robyn-Eve Maines' law firm devastated at 'much loved' team member's death
Dad tried to set daughter on fire after she asked for his help
Easy way to get £10 off a £50 shop at Iceland and The Food Warehouse
