Force rated ‘good’ for hate crime approach

Lancashire Constabulary has been praised for its approach towards disability hate crime in a joint inspection report which recognised the force for areas of good practice.
Photo Ian Robinson
Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive GrunshawPhoto Ian Robinson
Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw
Photo Ian Robinson Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw

The report comes as part of the joint review by HMIC, HMCPSI and HMI Probation of “Living in a different world: A joint review of Disability Hate Crime” that made seven recommendations for police, CPS and probation trusts.

Lancashire was one of six police forces visited as part of the inspections.

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Whilst the report highlighted that further progress needs to be made nationally around, the reporting, investigation and prosecution of hate crime, Lancashire was highlighted for certain areas of good practice.

A bespoke five and a half hour training package on hate crime that has been developed by the force was highlighted as one such area.

The training has been delivered to 85% of front-line staff including response officers, neighbourhood teams, PCSOs, Public Enquiry Assistants and to staff who take emergency and non-emergency calls in the constabulary’s contact management centre.

The training focused particularly on disability hate crime, an area that has been recognised as having unique characteristics, and how to identify such crimes and the range of special measures available for vulnerable victims.

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Another area of good practice was the approach to third party reporting, which has been developed in conjunction with the Disability Hate Crime Network, in which instances of disability hate crime are reported via third parties and then forwarded to the police. The report also highlighted a 195% increase since 2011-12 to 2013-14 in the number of disability hate crimes reported to the Constabulary.

Hate Crime lead for Lancashire Police, Chief Superintendent Stuart Noble, said:

“We are committed to tackling all crime motivated by hostility and prejudice and we would urge anyone who has been a victim of a hate crime to have the confidence to come forward and report it to police.”

Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “I’m pleased that the report recognises how seriously hate crime is taken in Lancashire and this due to the efforts of the constabulary and my office.

“Lancashire is a diverse community, which is part of what makes it such a brilliant place to live and work.”

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