Hate crimes soars by 17% in a year as MPs launch plan to protect OAPs and goths
The number of offences has DOUBLED in five years
HATE crimes have soared over the past year with nearly 2,000 attacks taking place every week, official figures revealed today.
The number of hate crimes directed at racial, religious and sexual minorities has risen by 17 per cent compared to last year.
Ministers today announced plans to protect old people, men and goths as part of an extension of what counts as a hate crime.
The number of offences recorded by police has DOUBLED in the past five years.
The Home Office said today that there were 94,098 hate crimes recorded in 2017-18.
Of those three-quarters were racially motivated, with 12 per cent linked to sexual orientation, nine per cent committed against religious minorities and eight per cent suffered by disabled people.
Hate crimes are now more common in every one of those categories, the official data said.
Officials claimed part of the increase is due to the impact of terrorist attacks such as those on London Bridge and Manchester Arena.
Muslims and Jewish people are both disproportionately targeted by hate crimes, the Home Office concluded.
Labour MP David Lammy blasted: "Yet another shameful surge in hate crimes. This comes from the very top.
"Divisive, xenophobic rhetoric from politicians trickles down into abuse and violence on our streets. We can do so much better than this."
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Today Sajid Javid unveiled new plans for a crackdown on hate crime with new categories covered by the law.
Current legislation could be extended to cover ageism, sexism against both men and women and even "alternative lifestyles" such as goth culture.
The Home Secretary said: "Hate crime goes directly against the long-standing British values of unity, tolerance and mutual respect and I am committed to stamping this sickening behaviour out."
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