‘Very disturbing’ - community groups and MP react to rise in racist crimes in the West Midlands

Concerning figures show that West Midlands Police has recorded a big increase in racially and religiously aggravated offences
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Community groups and political figures in Birmingham have expressed concern over new Home Office figures which show that racially and religiously aggravated offences in the West Midlands increased by 57% in 2021.

This figure was higher than anywhere else in England and Wales. The Home Office statistics reveal the number of racially and religiously aggravated offences recorded by police forces in 2021, with the change from 2020.

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The new police-recorded crime data for England and Wales, covers five types of offences, all of which have a specific racially or religiously motivated element defined by statute.

The five offences are: racially or religiously aggravated assault with injury, racially or religiously aggravated assault without injury, racially or religiously aggravated harassment, racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage, and racially or religiously aggravated public fear, alarm or distress.

Stand Up To Racism members in Birmingham protest against government policy to send refugees and asylum seekers to Rwanda last weekStand Up To Racism members in Birmingham protest against government policy to send refugees and asylum seekers to Rwanda last week
Stand Up To Racism members in Birmingham protest against government policy to send refugees and asylum seekers to Rwanda last week

‘The figures are disturbing’

Speaking to BirminghamWorld, Bob Maloney, a member of Stand Up To Racism Birmingham said the figures are concerning.

He said:“I think the figures are very disturbing. I think looking at the big picture, one of the problems is that there’s a lot of factors which have cranked up the whole issue of racism.

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“I think in terms of factors in the West Midlands, it probably reflects that we have some of the most deprived boroughs in the country bar none, and I think some of these things feed into these statistics, and it’s very concerning.

“I think we should all be paying attention to this and looking to work with whatever organisations we can work with about what we can do to address this.”

Racially & religiously-aggravated offences recorded by police forces in 2021Racially & religiously-aggravated offences recorded by police forces in 2021
Racially & religiously-aggravated offences recorded by police forces in 2021

Bob said organisations and agencies across the region have to have to take the figures seriously. “These things need to be turned around, and whether it’s community organisations or the police, or whoever, we can’t just be passive about it.

“We have to believe that these things can be turned around and I certainly believe that – and with Stand Up To Racism, we believe in campaigning on anti-racism issues much of the time.”

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Bob also accussed the government of creating an “atmosphere of tension” across the country. He said: “I do think part of the problem is the government’s policies, particularly the controversial Rwanda plan, which many people have criticised.

“From my point of view this is a very shocking piece of policy and I don’t think that even the government thinks that this will seriously address the number of refugees seeking to come to Britain for a safe life, but I think it’s instead playing to an audience which think something is being done about immigration.”

Shabana Mahmood, Labour MP for Birmingham LadywoodShabana Mahmood, Labour MP for Birmingham Ladywood
Shabana Mahmood, Labour MP for Birmingham Ladywood

‘Unacceptable that so many people are facing abuse’

Responding to the figures, Shabana Mahmood said she will be asking West Midlands Police what plans it has in place to bring the numbers down.

She said: “It is really concerning to see such a significant increase in the number of racially and religiously aggravated offences. It is unacceptable that so many people are facing abuse and attacks here in the West Midlands and highlights how far we have to go to defeat hatred.

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“The Labour Party has a plan for a new Race Equality Act to bring about the change that is needed, whilst the Conservatives fail to grasp the problem because they are too distracted by propping up an unethical Downing Street.

“One of the things that makes the West Midlands so special is how diverse we are and I will be asking West Midlands Police and other local partners what plans it has in place to bring the number of offences down.”

The Home Office and West Midlands Police have been contacted for comment.

What do the figures show in full?

The statistics show that in the West Midlands, 5,117 racially and religiously aggravated hate crimes were recorded by the region’s police force in 2020.

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This figure rose to 8,010 in 2021, an increase of 57%. This was the biggest percentage jump out of any police force in England and Wales. Gloucestershire had the second highest increase (45%).

With 8,010, West Midlands Police also recorded the second highest amount of racially and religiously aggravated offences in England and Wales in 2021, second only to the Metropolitan Police, which recorded 15,394 (an increse of 2% from 2020).

Of the 44 forces in England and Wales, 39 reported a rise in racially and religiously aggravated offences from 2020 to 2021, while 34 forces saw numbers last year reach a new high.

West Midlands Police appealWest Midlands Police appeal
West Midlands Police appeal

Woman jailed for racial abuse in Birmingham

The data comes after a woman who was filmed racially abusing a doorman at the Figure of Eight pub on Broad Street was jailed for 14 weeks.

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Sharna Walker, from Worcester, admitted racially abusing a doorman in Birmingham city centre.

Walker used racist language against security staff member Tristan Price at least 10 times during the outburst on the night of Saturday, 22 May 2021.

Walker responded angrily on being asked to leave the Figure of Eight pub in Broad Street, at around 10.30pm.

The 25-year-old spat drink in the direction of the doorman, kicked open the exit door causing a glass panel to smash, and then pushed the broken door into his back as he returned inside.

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Video recorded by a member of the public showed Walker pointing at the victim and shouting racist abuse in his direction.

The footage was shared across social channels and sparked widespread condemnation.

She was charged with racially aggravated common assault, assault, criminal damage and a public order offence.

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