HOMOPHOBIC CRIMES IN THE NORTH WEST DOUBLE IN FIVE YEARS

11.04.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 19th Oct 2009

Andrew Stunell is concerned about the big increase in homophobic incidents recorded by North West Police Forces

The number of homophobic incidents recorded by Police across the North West has almost doubled in the course of the last five years, according to research conducted by Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell.

The figures, released to Mr Stunell under the Freedom of Information Act show a startling rise in the number of homophobic incidents across the region:

• There were a total of 1,134 incidents recorded in 2008, up from 605 in 2004.

• 4,445 incidents were recorded across the North West over the entire five year period.

• Greater Manchester had the largest increase, going from 109 in 2004 to 533 in 2008.

• Lancashire recorded the most offences over the five-year period, with 1,623 homophobic incidents recorded.

• In Andrew's own area of Stockport, there were 37 incidents in 2008 compared with 0 in 2004.

Offences included assault, criminal damage to vehicles, harassment, intimidation and threats to kill. Mr Stunell has now written to the Home Secretary to take up the issue.

Commenting, Andrew Stunell said:

"The rise in attacks shows a worrying trend, and if any one thought that homophobia was a thing of the past, they quite obviously have to think again.

"Whilst the Police have significantly improved their recording of such incidents, better recording measures alone can not be the sole reason why we have seen such a dramatic leap in homophobic crime.

"There's several things we need to do to combat this problem. Firstly, we need better education in schools. If homophobia is tackled head-on from an early age, we can stop it becoming a life-long attitude. We also need to put more police officers on the streets to allow local people - gay or straight - to feel safer in their communities."

The Liberal Democrats are the only party calling for an increase in police numbers. They would put 10,000 more police on the streets, 1,247 of them based in the North West, paid for by scrapping the costly and pointless ID Cards scheme.

ENDS

For a Full Breakdown of the figures, or for more information, please contact Jamie Saddler on 020 7219 5136