HL Deb 19 November 2003 vol 654 cc289-90WA
Lord Dholakia

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether all police forces monitor and publish the number of religiously motivated incidents; and [HL4993]

What are the latest available statistics for the number of faith-related incidents reported to each of the police forces in England and Wales. HL4994]

The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)

Statistics at national level for religiously motivated offences are currently not kept centrally. The Metropolitan Police Force has begun to keep its own statistics on such offences, following the introduction of new religiously aggravated offences in December 2001 as part of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act. Their statistics are as follows:

Month/Year Total Number of Religiously Aggravated Offences
2002
January 36
February 17
March 19
April 36
May 45
June 22
July 16
August 25
September 20
October 18
November 16
December 11
Total 281
2003 (to date)
January 15
February 10
March 27
April 14
May 26
June 15
Total 107

All police services now keep records of racist incidents in their areas, and the Home Office will be looking to encourage all forces similarly to record instances of religiously motivated incidents.

Since January 2002 the Crown Prosecution Service has had 57 cases of religiously aggravated offences referred to it for prosecution by the police.