Police and CPS reaffirm commitment to tackling hate crime
Police and prosecutors have reaffirmed their commitment to investigating and prosecuting hate crime, with an emphasis on early identification of hostility, effective evidence gathering and support for victims.
In a joint statement, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said closer working between the two organisations and communities was essential to bringing offenders to justice and encouraging victims to report offences.
The statement sets out a shared approach to identifying potential hate crime, investigating the circumstances of offences and building cases that meet the requirements of the Code for Crown Prosecutors.
It also highlights the need for early risk assessments to identify victims’ needs, including reasonable adjustments and special measures to help them give evidence.
The organisations said hate crime should be investigated thoroughly and sensitively, with prosecutors making representations for increased sentences where there is evidence of hostility on the grounds covered by law. These include disability, race, religion, sexual orientation and transgender identity.
The statement also stresses that there is no hierarchy of hate crime, with both organisations committing to responding fairly regardless of the characteristic targeted.
Commander Claire Smart, the NPCC’s hate crime lead, and Lionel Idan, the CPS’s national hate crime lead, said they would continue to work together to improve investigations and prosecutions, engage with affected communities and monitor progress.
They also highlighted the importance of transparency, including explaining investigative and prosecutorial decisions and keeping communities informed.