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<p>The Home Office has collected information on the number of disability hate crimes
recorded by the police in England and Wales since 2011/12. In 2011/2012, the number
recorded was 1,757, with 1,843 in 2012/13 and 1,985 in 2013/14. The Home Office does
not collect prosecutions data.</p><p>Further information on hate crimes can be found
at this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hate-crimes-england-and-wales-2013-to-2014</p><p>(1)
The College of Policing (as the professional body for policing) issues Authorised
Professional Practice or ‘APP’. This is the official source of professional practice
on policing and police officers and staff are expected to have regard to APP in discharging
their responsibilities. Disability hate crime training is referenced throughout a
number of APP issued by the College, including investigations and public order. In
May 2014, the College also published specific Hate Crime Operational Guidance.</p><p>(2)
CPS have created a training support package focused on disability hate crime and reflecting
refreshed legal guidance on disability hate crime. This was piloted on 17 July and
is currently being rolled out to all CPS Areas. The aim of the training is to provide
prosecutors in CPS Areas with guidance on the key elements of prosecuting disability
hate crime, resulting in greater confidence in handling cases and improved prosecution
performance. The training has been mandated for all Area prosecutors and will be concluded
by the end of the calendar year.</p><p>The Government is currently speaking to a number
of organisations and individuals to inform the next steps in our strategy to both
raise awareness and encourage reporting of disability hate crime. This includes work
with the Fulfilling Potential Forum, which is led by the Office for Disability Issues
within DWP and is made up of around 40 disability charities, including disabled people’s
user led organisations.</p>
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