Hate Crime Should Concern Everyone

In 2008-09 1046 cases of hate crime have been prosecuted in Yorkshire and Humberside.  This resulted in 885 successful convictions.

But success in tackling hate crime cannot be measured in figures alone. It is vital people recognise what this crime is in the first place.

Hate crime can take many forms, from name-calling and physical attacks to offensive graffiti, abusive gestures or even murder. It is based on hostility towards someone's race, religion, sexual orientation or disability, and often victims are not aware that what they are experiencing is a crime.

Being targeted because of who you are can be incredibly damaging and isolating.

No one should have to live in fear. And equality before the law lies at the heart of the public prosecution service. Tackling hate crime is about defending quality of life and protecting people from violence, harassment, shunning from a community or negative stereotyping.

Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel Annual Report

 The Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel produces an annual report detailing its achievements each year.

Download the North and West Yorkshire Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel Annual Report 2009 - 2010

Download the South Yorkshire and Humberside Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel Annual Report 2009-10

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Home » Hate Crime

Hate Crime

Hate crimes are those which are motivated by hostility as a result of a victim's race, religion, sexuality, gender identity, age or disability.

Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel

We are committed to improving the way in which we prosecute hate crimes and to ensuring that all sections of our community are equally protected by the law.  We have therefore set up two Hate Crime Scrutiny Panels across the region, to look at unsuccessful hate crime cases which have already been through the Criminal Justice System.

Panel members are drawn from local communities and involve a wide range of people from many backgrounds. The chair of both panels is an independent person, not linked with the CPS.

The purpose of the panel is to review the cases and highlight actions to help us improve our practice.

Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel Chair Receives an MBE

The independent chair of the award-winning West Yorkshire Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel Ebrahim Dockrat, was awarded the MBE in 2009.

The honour was given in recognition of Ebrahim's instrumental role in chairing the Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel, the first of its kind in the UK.

On receiving the honour Ebrahim said: "Whilst I feel very privileged and honoured to receive this accolade, I also feel very humbled by this nomination. Very often it's a collective effort on part of a team that enables one to realise a goal and this is very much the case in our work on the Hate Crime Scrutiny Panels".

Homophobic Hate Crime: West Yorkshire Case Study

In April 2009, a man was walking in woodland in West Yorkshire when he was approached by two youths.  One of the youths made homophobic comments, and then punched the complainant in the face several times causing a black eye, damaged nose, and swollen face.

Eight days later, another man was walking in the same area when he was approached by the same two youths. One of the youths made threats to him. The man walked away, and when pursued, began to run, but collided with a tree. The youths then kicked and punched him.  He managed to get away, but still fearing for his safety, jumped into a nearby canal.

In interview, the second defendant admitted the assault and made homophobic comments.

The case was prosecuted and sentenced as a hate crime, and the youths both pleaded guilty to charges of actual bodily harm.

One of the defendants was sentenced to an 18 month supervision order and curfew between 8pm and 7am; and the second offender was referred to the Youth Offender Panel. This is made up of community members who will agree a contract with the defendant. This may include promises about future behaviour, an apology to the complainant, or unpaid work.