§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the number of homophobic incidents recorded by the RUC in each of the last five years; what estimate she has made of the under-reporting of homophobic crime; and what proposals she has to increase the confidence of homosexual people in reporting crimes against them to the police. [39208]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 22 April 1998]: The statistical information requested is not currently available. The crime-recording database maintained by the RUC is based on Home Office "counting rules". It is not programmable to elicit the requested information.
The RUC is engaged in discussion with representative groupings throughout Northern Ireland to foster better relationships and encourage the homosexual community to report offending against them on the understanding that such reports will be investigated in the impartial and professional manner in which the RUC investigates all reported offending.
The RUC is also currently reviewing policy in this area. to take account of recent Association of Chief Police Officers' Guidelines (December 1997) for dealing with incidents involving the gay and lesbian community.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list by category of offence, the type of offences reported or recorded as homophobic crime. [39215]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 22 April 1998]: The information requested is not currently available. The crime-recording database maintained by the RUC is based upon Home Office "counting rules". It is not programmable to elicit the requested information.