Racist and religiously motivated attacks on MPS officers up by 56%

Race hate crime against police officers in London has increased by more than 50 per cent in the last two years, figures from a Freedom of Information request have revealed. A total of 667 Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers were subject to racist or religious hate crime in 2016/17, compared to 428 in 2014/15. In addition, 54 police staff members were victims in the same period, bringing the total to almost two offences a day. Offences ranged from harassment to racially or religiously aggravated grievous bodily harm, but also included non-violent offences. The MPS said any form of hate crime against its officers is unacceptable. “Police officers have a duty to record all crime that they become aware of, including when either they or their colleagues are victims,” a spokesperson added. “As an employer we encourage our officers and staff to report these incidents so we can give them the support they need and bring perpetrators to justice.” Ken Marsh, chair of the Metropolitan Police Federation said the 56 per cent increase was “abhorrent”. “In this day and age, I just don`t get it,” he added. “But we`re doing everything we can to assist our colleagues in any way we can when it`s brought to our attention.” Shadow Policing Minister Louise Haigh said: “There must be a zero-tolerance approach to race or religious hate crime and it is vital officers are able to carry out their roles protecting the public.”