24 July 2016

Prosecutors will be urged to push for tougher sentences for people committing hate crimes, following a rise in incidents after the EU referendum.

A £2.4m fund will also be set up for security measures at places of worship.

A rise in reported hate crimes following the Brexit vote has prompted concerns about a wave of xenophobic and racial abuse.

The Home Office said its action plan aimed to encourage people to report offences and boost support for victims.

Prosecutors will be issued with fresh guidance on racially and religiously aggravated offences.

They will also be encouraged to push for tougher sentences by urging courts to use existing powers to increase penalties in hate crime cases.

It is hoped this will improve confidence in the CPS’s response to such crimes and in turn, boost reporting rates.

The Home Office said it will also be targeting work to prevent hate crime on public transport and tackle attacks on Muslim women.

 

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-36875533