New council strategy on hate crime takes shape as survey highlights 'lack of trust'

Haringey Council is seeking to create “environment where hate crime is not tolerated but challenged, reported and dealt with”, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Respondents to a survey on hate crime and community safety in Haringey have highlighted a “lack of trust” in the reporting process.

The council announced in February last year that it planned to draw up a strategy to create “an environment where hate crime is not tolerated but challenged, reported and dealt with appropriately”.

According to research presented at the time, overall reported hate crime in Haringey grew by 2% during 2021/22, with the largest increases ranging from 14% for antisemitic hate crimes to 20% for homophobic hate crimes. Racist and religious hate crime as a whole rose by 12%.

But the situation has since worsened further, with a significant spike in hate crimes after the conflict in Israel and Gaza began on 7th October. Met Police data show a 20.7% increase in hate crime from September to October, with a 750% rise in antisemitism specifically.

The council’s twelve-week public consultation took place between May and August and garnered 1,045 responses. The survey covered both community safety and hate crime.

Results showed for both there was an “underreporting of crime” with reasons including a “lack of faith in the reporting process” and “lack of knowledge on how to report”.

Haringey residents reported a “lack of trust and communication” as they didn’t feel “listened to” or feared “repercussions”.

Respondents said there was a “need for better communication” through “news sources, public spaces, voluntary and community sector organisations and community magazines”.

Results showed a “consensus” on the need to educate people around social issues from “an early age”.

Hate crimes and violence against women and girls (VAWG) were the two areas respondents wanted to see the council and its partners raise awareness for and educate the public on.

The final finding was a need to train frontline officers to handle hate crimes, neurodiversity and VAWG as well as to understand the “nature of the concern and protected characteristics”.

The council is now set to discuss its new strategies on hate crime and community safety with key parties and stakeholders, this month and next. It will then submit its draft strategies for approval by full council, with an aim to formalise them by March.

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