New government figures show a slight drop in LGBTQ+ hate crimes in England and Wales for 2023-2024.
Reported crimes based on sexual orientation fell by 8%, and transphobic incidents decreased by 2%.
Despite this, campaigners express deep concern, as 22,839 homophobic and 4,780 transphobic hate crimes were recorded. Religious hate crimes surged by 25%, largely driven by antisemitism and Islamophobia, likely due to international conflicts.
Campaigners stress the importance of standing against all hate crimes and ensuring access to support for victims. Simon Blake, CEO of Stonewall said:
“While the Home Office official statistics released today reveals a drop in reported hate crime motivated by sexual orientation and gender identity, the huge increase in religious hate crimes in the last year is deeply worrying.
We stand together with everyone affected by hate crime, whatever community they are part of. We know hate crime has a ripple effect. A rise in hatred towards one marginalised group is harmful to everyone, including the LGBTQ+ community, and has a corrosive effect across society.
The Home Office defines a hate crime as “any criminal offence which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards someone based on a personal characteristic.”