Liverpool LGBTQ+ Charity Responds to Worrying Hate Crime Statistics

New research on hate crime in Liverpool has revealed that only 4.5% of reported offences have resulted in charges. Merseyside-based LGBTQ+ charity Sahir House responded with their deep concern, but also announced that the severity of the statistics was unsurprising.

Liverpool Echo reports the full extent of the figures, revealing that over 95% of the 1,804 hate crimes reported to the Merseyside police force between 2019 and 2022 were unresolved. 1,642 of these crimes were motivated by homophobia, with only 79 charges by the police. 162 reported crimes were transphobic, with only 3 charges. Following on from recent statistics revealing that 2021 contained the highest rates for LGBTQ+ hate crime in the past 3 years, the CEO of Sahir House discussed the possible reasoning behind this concerning rise in crime.

Chief Executive Officer Anthony Hopkinson revealed he was not surprised by the injustice, referencing the Government’s consistent reports of increasing LGBTQ+ hate crime. He stated that the worrying reports were indicative of a “much larger endemic problem”, and that the situation was “complex and nuanced”. Hopkinson went on to suggest that the 2020 pandemic and subsequent lockdown impacted tolerance levels in reference to the rise of discriminatory language and behavior.

Merseyside Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell also made statements regarding the concerning figures, resolving to improve conditions and bring justice to LGBTQ+ people in Liverpool. She declared that even one instance of a hate crime going unreported was “too many”, let alone 95.5%. Beyond imploring residents to report hate crimes to the police force, Spurrell also directed targeted individuals to an independent helpline called Stop Hate UK. Created as an anonymous alternative for those who are not comfortable approaching the police, she spoke of how much work is put into this service to help eradicate hate crime to the highest possible extent.

“Since taking office, my team and I have undertaken 85 hate crime ‘walkabouts’ where we’ve united partners to promote Stop Hate UK in areas where hate crimes have taken place. We also have a dedicated network of independent hate crime reporting centers across the region in venues such as fire stations, libraries and community centers."

Liverpool City Council will highlight the importance of tackling crime against LGBTQ+ people and other social minorities during Hate Crime Awareness week, starting October 8th. Anyone who has been impacted by hate crime, or knows anyone who has, is encouraged to report it to the police or to reach out to the following independent helplines:

Stop Hate UK: Call 0800 138 1625 or contact them via www.stophateuk.org

Crimestoppers: Call 0800 555 111

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