Government to Fund CCTV Coverage to Fight Hate Crimes

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Government to Fund CCTV Coverage to Fight Hate Crimes

The government has announced it will be using taxpayers’ money to fund CCTV coverages of mosques, synagogues, churches and other areas prone to the incidence of hate crimes. The announcement comes in the wake of the biggest spike in hate crimes in British history, most likely prompted by the Brexit referendum.

In an attempt to counteract the rise in reported assaults and aggravated attacks on minorities, the Home Office has pledged £2.4 million to increase surveillance around places of worship in the UK. Every church, synagogue or mosque in the country will be able to apply for a free security review, while prosecutors are being advised to impose harsher sentences to discourage racist and xenophobic behaviour.

Hate crimes up by biggest increase on record

In the two weeks around the Brexit referendum date (16th-30th June), a total 3,076 hate crime offences were reported across the UK. Compared to figures from the same dates last year, that’s an increase of 915 incidents or 42%, signalling the biggest spike in recorded history.

Tellingly, the highest number of offences took place on June 25th, the day after the official Leave result was announced to the public. 289 attacks were reported on that particular day, compared to a daily average of 205 incidents across the two-week period.

The most commonly reported complaint was “violence against the person”, which covers individual attacks manifesting themselves in assault and harassment. Criminal damage to private property, spitting, verbal abuse and disruption of public order were other charges levelled against accused all over England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Including attacks perpetrated in July, the total figure of incidents since June 16th is expected to exceed 6,000.

Governmental crackdown through CCTV

Home Secretary Amber Rudd had earlier made the government’s position clear on such attacks and the Home Office has now backed up her words with the proposed budget increase for surveillance around places of worship.

“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,” she said.

“Where crimes are committed, we must make sure victims have the confidence to report incidents and the law is rigorously enforced. At a time of increased concerns about a climate of hostility towards people who have come to live in our country, let me be absolutely clear that it is completely unacceptable for people to suffer abuse or attacks because of their nationality, ethnic background or colour of their skin. We will not stand for it.”

CCTV enhances security across the board

The additional CCTV installed in the vicinities of churches, synagogues and mosques is sure to aid in the conviction of offenders, thus acting as both a deterrent and a vital tool in bringing criminals to justice. However, you needn’t be a victim of a hate crime to feel the benefit of CCTV.

Regardless of your religious or ethnic background, the need to safeguard your home, business and other private property is a universal one. At Blackburn Alarms we are adept at installing state-of-the-art CCTV systems to monitor the periphery of your property, preventing break-ins and prosecuting criminals in the process.

To find out more about how we can help safeguard your home or business, get in touch with us today.

By |2016-07-27T14:26:09+00:00July 27th, 2016|CCTV, News|0 Comments

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