New questionnaire launched to increase reports of hate crime
By Josh Haggis
Boris Johnson has launched a new questionnaire to find out how more victims of hate crime in the capital – including homophobic hate crime – can be encouraged to come forward.
The Office for Policing and Crime created the questionnaire in an effort to make sure more hate crimes are reported – which will in turn help the Metropolitan Police to create a new, more informed strategy for tackling hate crime, reports MayorWatch.
Reports of homophobic crimes in London were up 7% in 2013 over the previous year’s figure, but the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Stephen Greenhalgh, says that there is still “significant under-reporting” and insists “levels of hate crime are too high”.
He said of the new questionnaire: “Working with key organisations such as the Metropolitan Police, the Mayor and I are committed to improving the city’s approach to tackling hate crime and we are seeking wider views to help us do this.”
“London is a city where we should be free to live our lives how we choose, but not free to hate,” Greenhalgh insisted.
The questionnaire is available here – make sure to fill it out if you live in London or often visit the capital.