Concern over police handling of disability hate crime

Nearly six out of 10 disabled people who have reported experiencing abuse feel unsatisfied with the way the police handled their cases, according to a new survey.

A report by the Greater London Authority Conservatives found 85% of disabled people had encountered some form of verbal, physical or financial abuse.

Of these, 59% felt unsatisfied with the way police handled the case.

The report, titled Hidden Hate, surveyed 131 disabled people in London.

Conservative London Assembly Member Andrew Boff (pictured), author of the report, said: “From our research it is clear that disability hate crime is not handled as well as racial and homophobic hate crime.

“Our survey clearly showed that those with physical and learning disabilities feel that the criminal justice system does not work well for them when reporting crime.

“The police are working all the time to improve the service for all Londoners, including those with disabilities, but clearly so much more is needed to be done. I have submitted my report and its recommendations to the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime for consideration”.

The report recommends the Metropolitan Police using the Pegasus computer software system, which would enable them to immediately identify disabled people through a personal PIN number.

The report also recommends that it should be mandatory for Scotland Yard to initially regard a crime against a disabled person as a potential hate crime.

In addition, the report calls on the Law Commission to reconsider its decision not to include disability in hate crime legislation.