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Disability hate crime: Number of reports rising | |
(about 16 hours later) | |
Shocking but not surprising is how one campaigner has described a rise in disability hate crimes. | |
Research by learning disability charity United Response found there were more than 6,000 reported cases in 2018-19, a rise of just under 12% in a year. | |
The police force area with the largest number was West Yorkshire (818), followed by Greater Manchester (464). | The police force area with the largest number was West Yorkshire (818), followed by Greater Manchester (464). |
Chloe Tear, a disability blogger from West Yorkshire, said disabled people faced "malicious comments" every day. | |
The 21-year-old has mild cerebral palsy and is partially-sighted. | |
'Really hurtful' | |
She said three years ago she was in a wheelchair when eggs were thrown at her. | |
"It really shocked me. The person who did it knew me, knew that I was an open book about my disability. | |
"It's really hurtful when you spend your whole life trying to be positive about it." | |
She said the incident, which she did report to the police, took a long time to recover from. | |
Amy Williamson, 23, from Leeds, has Down's syndrome and faced abuse from a group of boys as she got off a bus near her home. | |
"I think there were 20 of them, they were calling me names and saying mean stuff about my boyfriend." | |
Her mother Karen said it severely knocked her confidence. | |
"Her independence has been affected. Even in her own street she doesn't feel comfortable and safe anymore." | |
United Response submitted Freedom of Information requests to 45 police forces across England and Wales. | |
It received disability hate crime figures from 34 forces, of which 27 gave figures for charges or prosecutions while 21 provided the numbers of disability hate crimes committed by repeat offenders. | |
In England and Wales, 6,263 disability hate crimes were reported in 2018-19, while in 2017-18 the figure was 5,599. In 2016-17 it was 4,079. | |
The charity's figures also showed fewer people were being charged or prosecuted for disability hate crimes across England and Wales. | The charity's figures also showed fewer people were being charged or prosecuted for disability hate crimes across England and Wales. |
West Yorkshire Police received 818 reports in 2018-19 - a rise of 53% on the figure for 2017-18. | West Yorkshire Police received 818 reports in 2018-19 - a rise of 53% on the figure for 2017-18. |
The force said an element of the rise in reports could be attributed to its "high standards" in crime recording. | The force said an element of the rise in reports could be attributed to its "high standards" in crime recording. |
Supt Richard Close added: "Residents should be free to live their lives without fear, hatred or intolerance and there is no excuse for such behaviour." | |
Ms Tear said: "I think the figures are absolutely shocking but I'm not surprised. | |
"The odd malicious comment is part of our daily life." | |
She said more education was needed to address people's ignorance and reliance on stereotypes. | |
"As a society we are getting better and hopefully the younger generation will grow up to be more respectful." |
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