Alarming Rise In Race Crimes Of Huge Concern - Huhne

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 27th Jun 2009

The number of racially or religiously motivated offences has risen by 82% in less than a decade, according to research by the Liberal Democrats.

The figures, contained in answers to Parliamentary Questions, show that:

·The number of offences committed that were racially or religiously motivated increased by 82% in the last nine years from 21,750 in 1999/2000 to 39,643 in 2007/08.

·There were 39,643 offences last year alone and 310,962 since 1999.

·The rise in some areas has been well above the national average. North Yorkshire saw a rise of 2,767%, Cleveland of 1,245%, West Yorkshire of 965%, Essex of 949%, and South Yorkshire of 846%.

·The only police force to record a fall in racially and religiously aggravated offences was the Metropolitan Police, which saw a fall of 47% between 1999-2000 and 2007-08.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said:

"The alarming rise in racially and religiously motivated crimes will be of huge concern to anyone who values this country's proud record as a tolerant and diverse nation.

"It is simply unacceptable that anybody in modern Britain is the victim of crime because of the colour of their skin or what they believe in.

"Police forces are more sensitive to these issues today but there is no way that better recording can explain such colossal increases across the country.

"The Metropolitan Police have had their problems in this area over the years and perhaps they have learnt the hard way but they must be congratulated on being the only police force to buck the national trend.

"Ministers must examine what the Met are doing to combat this type of crime and ensure that best practice is spread nationally.