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Written question asked by Sarah Champion (Labour) on Friday, 13 October 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 17 October 2023. It was answered by Sarah Dines (Conservative) on Monday, 23 October 2023 on behalf of the Home Office.

Hate Crime: LGBT+ People

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will have discussions with LGBT (a) community organisations and (b) charities on steps to help prevent homophobic and transphobic hate crimes.

Answer

The Government is clear that all forms of hate crime - including homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate crime - are completely unacceptable.

We have a robust legislative framework in place and expect the police fully to investigate these abhorrent offences and make sure those who commit them feel the full force of the law.

Whilst part of the increase in transgender hate crime may be due to a genuine rise, the biggest driver is likely to be general improvement in police recording and identification of a hate crime, along with increased victim willingness to come forward. This is positive and reflects the hard work that has gone in to ensuring that police can target their resources, understand the scale of the challenge and ensure that victims get the support they need.

Our absolute priority is to get more police into our streets, cut crime, protect the public and bring more criminals to justice. We are supporting police by providing them with the resources they need, including having recruited 20,000 additional police officers by March 2023. We also engage with relevant stakeholders when appropriate to do so.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
202299
Session
2022-23
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
LGBT+ people Hate crime
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk