Homophobic Hate Crime Reports Tripled In Scarborough Over 5 Years

Reported homophobic hate crime in Scarborough has risen by 200% since 2014.

According to North Yorkshire Police, hate crimes have risen from eight to 24 annually over the last six years in Scarborough. 

There were a total of 63 homophobic hate crimes over the six year period.

Only 12 of these 63 crimes have resulted in the suspect(s) being charged, but the number of charges has declined in recent years. 

26 of the total crimes were classed as under investigation, or they have not yet had official outcomes assigned.

18 crimes out of the 63 total reported have had evidential difficulties and closed with no one being charged, despite some suspects being identified.  In 11 of these cases, the victim did not support police action.

The findings were made by the media literacy charity The Student View.

Superintendent Mark Khan, North Yorkshire Police’s lead for hate crime, said: “Homophobic hate crime has a devastating impact on its victims, their families and their communities.

“Hate crime is not only verbal or physical abuse. It can also involve vandalism, criminal damage, graffiti or arson, cyberbullying, offensive communications, threats of attack or financial exploitation. All of these incidents can be reported to police, and will be treated extremely seriously.

“It’s so important that we do not let this type of behaviour go unnoticed or unchallenged. Reporting hate crime is everyone’s business. We want people in Scarborough, and across North Yorkshire, to report it – and to feel confident reporting it.

“So whether you are a victim of any kind of hate crime, or have witnessed a hate crime incident, no matter how insignificant it may seem, we would urge you to call the police, via 101 or 999 in an emergency.

“If you do not wish to speak to the police, contact Supporting Victims in North Yorkshire or visit True Vision, who can both be contacted confidentially and can offer support and advice.

“The most important thing is to not accept this behaviour and not let it hide within our communities – report it. By reporting it, we can stop it.”

For more information about hate crime in North Yorkshire, click here.

Why did students choose this topic?

I chose to report on this issue because it is something that affected me and my friends. I know about how hard it is to deal with it, and how people could be struggling making choices.

I also know how hard it is to get support from friends and family, who might not agree or don’t know how to come to term with the situation or who a person identifies as.

Finally, I know that it can be hard to come to terms with you are, especially if a person doesn’t know how they feel or know what how the should identify.