Figures show a drop in hate crime in Northampton - but many incidents may go unreported

The drop in crimes involving racism and prejudice was announced by cabinet member for community safety Mike Hallam (Con, Headlands) during Monday night’s borough council meeting at the Guildhall.

In the latest figures taken from the year to March there were 144 less hate crimes committed in Northampton, down from 686 to 540.

But speaking at the meeting Labour Councillors Enamul Haque, Muna Cali and Rufia Ashraf said there have been several reports recently.

Councillor Haque, (Lab, Castle) said: “This referendum seems to have given some narrow minded people tool to shout this kind of abuse.

Racism should not exist like this in our society. There is only one race and that is the human race.”

Councillor Cali (Lab, Castle) claims her and a group of friends were attacked only the other day by people shouting racist abuse.

But she said many people are either afraid to report the crime or find it difficult to do so.

“Maybe we need to ask people why they are not reporting this sort of thing.

“I know the figures say hate crime is dropping down. But I don’t think it is

“I think it’s on the rise.”

On Monday the borough council backed two motions aimed a stamping out hate crime in the town.

The first of which pledged the authority’s continued support to the Stamp Out Hate Crime campaign, previously run buy its youth forum.

Both motions received unanimous approval across the chamber.