Hate Crime Targeted As Referendum Sees Surge

Perpetrators of hate crime face tougher sentences after a surge in reported attacks in the wake of the EU referendum.

Prosecutors will be urged to press for harsher punishments as part of the Government's new hate crime action plan, published next week.

A £2.4m fund will also be established for "protective security measures" at synagogues, mosques, churches and other places of worship.

The plan follows a sharp rise in alleged offences last month, peaking at 289 reports on 25 June - the day after the referendum result.

The Home Office said the action plan will set out steps to boost reporting of offences and support victims.

Prosecutors will also be issued with fresh guidance on racially and religiously aggravated offences.

Hate crime on public transport will be especially targeted, as will attacks on Muslim women and anti-Semitism.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: "Hatred directed against any community, race or religion has no place whatsoever in our diverse society and it needs to be kicked to the kerb.

"We are Great Britain because we are united by values like democracy, free speech, mutual respect and opportunity for all."

Figures show more than 6,000 alleged hate crimes were reported to police in four weeks from the middle of last month.

The main type of offence reported over the month was "violence against the person".

This includes harassment and common assault, as well as verbal abuse, spitting and "barging".

Public order offences and criminal damage were the second and third most common incidents respectively.

Separate statistics published earlier this month showed the Crown Prosecution Service is prosecuting a record number of hate crimes.

In 2015/16, the CPS prosecuted 15,442 hate crimes - a 4.8% rise on the previous year.

There were 13,032 prosecutions for racially and religiously aggravated hate crime, with a conviction rate of 83.8%.