Government hate crime figures to differentiate antisemitism from other racism

Jewish security chiefs have welcomed the Government’s forthcoming release of hate crime figures which specifically differentiate between antisemitism and other forms of race-hate.

In a move long requested, the Office of National Statistics will break down those incidents recorded by law enforcement bodies that target Jews, when the information is released on Tuesday.

Antisemitic incidents will be highlighted in the two sets of figures, including both the police statistics for recorded crime, as well as the Crime Survey for England and Wales, for the years ending March 2014 to March 2016.

Previous monitoring has been logged according to race, religion, gender, disability and sexual orientation, but this year’s release will give a clearer breakdown, including crimes towards Jews.

“The Community Security Trust (CST) and our partners have asked for some years now that antisemitism statistics be pulled out from within the overall hate crime statistics,” said a CST spokesman.

“We welcome Government and Police progress on this issue as it should help inform better political and policing actions in opposing antisemitism and showing support for British Jews.”