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Increase in racist attacks as sectarian hate crimes fall

An increase in racist and homophobic attacks at the same time that sectarian hate crimes are falling
An increase in racist and homophobic attacks at the same time that sectarian hate crimes are falling An increase in racist and homophobic attacks at the same time that sectarian hate crimes are falling

THERE has been an increase in racist and homophobic attacks in Northern Ireland at the same time that sectarian hate crimes are falling, new figures have revealed.

However, the update comes as the Alliance Party has challenged the PSNI definition of hate crime after it emerged the burning of election posters does not come into that category.

Sectarianism remains the biggest motivation for hate crimes which come before the Northern Ireland courts, according to Public Prosecution Service (PPS) figures.

There has been a 15.8 per cent decrease in the number of sectarian crimes being prosecuted, falling to 213 from 253 cases in 2013-14.

New PPS statistics show almost 95 per cent of "the most serious hate crime prosecutions" during 2014/15 resulted in a conviction in the Crown Court - compared with a conviction rate of 86.4 per cent last year.

The service made decisions about 807 individuals over hate crime, 59 per cent of which resulted in prosecution or "diversion from the courts".

More serious "aggravated" cases, saw a decline in conviction rate in the crown court from 94 per cent last year to 86.8 per cent and of the 46 defendants convicted there, 13 received an "enhanced sentence".

Police referred 549 individuals whose hate crimes had an added element of "hostility", 62 per cent of which were prosecuted or listed for "diversion from the courts"

The conviction rate in magistrates and youth courts was 68.7 per cent, an five per cent increase, with 195 people convicted and 40 receiving an enhanced sentence.

Director of Public Prosecutions, Barra McGrory said his department's work is "producing results" and the conviction rates are "reassuring".

"We are listening to the victims of hate crime, and those who work with them, about the impact that such offences have on the lives of individuals," he said.

But, there are calls for a reassessment of the definition of `hate crime' by police.

Alliance Belfast councillor Michael Long called for clarification after being told by police the burning of election posters is not considered a hate crime, "despite legislation stating the opposite".

In recording hate crime, the PSNI adopt the definition recommended by the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry, as "any crime, which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person".

However, Mr Long said "the PSNI's own website (states) `incidents committed against a person or property on the grounds of someone's political opinion' was".

"While this confusion remains, there appears to be no appetite from the PSNI to tackle the issue of burning images on bonfires".

"Alliance has no issue with people celebrating their culture in a respectful manner, but the adding of election posters, as well as national flags, to a number of bonfires year on year removes any semblance of tolerance."