Data on hate crimes recorded in Cumbria has been revealed.

As we are in hate crime awareness week, further light was shed on this county’s experiences with hate crimes.

The latest Home Office stats show 873 were recorded by Cumbria police in the year to March - a 28 per cent increase from 681 the year before.

Across the rest of England and Wales, the highest proportion of these crimes were racially-motivated, with 487 in Cumbria recorded last year.

The 109,843 race hate crimes recorded nationally in 2021 marked the first time a single category topped 100,000 over a year.

And despite accounting for the smallest number of crimes across all categories, offences motivated by transgender identity saw the largest increase across the two nations.

There were 4,355 such offences in 2021-22 – of which 48 were recorded in Cumbria – a 56% increase on 2,799 the year before.

The Home Office said transgender issues have been “heavily discussed on social media” over the last year, which may have contributed to the rise.

Cumbria police also recorded 188 offences on the basis of sexual orientation, 27 religious hate crimes, and 155 against people with disabilities.

Cumbria Constabulary’s hate crime lead Lisa Hogan said: “We have seen an increase in reported hate crimes, this is due, in part, to an increase in public confidence to report such incidents.

“Additionally, due to enhancement in national crime recording standards, multiple crimes can be recorded against one incident.

“This is to ensure crime recording fully reflects an incident and the impact it can have on a victim.

 “However, we believe that hate crime is still underreported.

 “I would like to reassure anyone who has been the victim of a hate crime, that we are here to help and to listen, even if you do not wish to take the investigation forward or just have questions.”

Janett Walker, CEO of Anti Racist Cumbria, said: “This is a complex issue as increasing numbers can reflect a true rise in crimes being committed, and there will have been some undisputed spikes last year; for example, the heightened overt racism following the men’s Euros.

“Conversely, rising figures can be a sign of increased confidence as victims feel more willing to come forward or even a reflection of the police improving their methods of recording.

“Either way the sad fact is that a person’s ‘race’ or ethnicity remains the most common motivation for committing a hate crime in Cumbria and this fact alone evidences the need for better education and for our county leaders and communities to commit to anti-racism.”

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