Tackling the Rise in Hate Crime in North East England

Hate crime has an impact beyond the person directly targeted. It creates fear, isolates people and weakens the sense of belonging that holds communities together. This matters particularly now. Across England and Wales, police recorded 146,825 hate crimes in the year ending March 2026: a 7% increase on the previous year, with race hate crime rising by 9% and religious hate crime by 13%.

Here in the North East, the impact is very real. Our own engagement following the 2024 unrest found people frightened to leave their homes or use public transport, while community organisations reported continuing anxiety and concerns about racism and community cohesion. Tackling hate crime therefore requires more than responding after an offence has occurred. We need prevention, education, strong community relationships and accessible support.

That means giving people straightforward information about hate crime, their rights and where they can get help. It means equipping frontline workers to recognise hate incidents, improving reporting and ensuring people who experience hate are listened to rather than left to navigate complicated systems alone.

Independent advocacy has an important role. We provide a free and independent Hate Crime Advocacy Service to people aged 16 and over across Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, North and South Tyneside and Northumberland. Recent reporting indicates the service supports an average of around 100 people a year. This innovative advocacy service is funded by the Northumbria Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

But services cannot tackle hate alone. Police, councils, schools, voluntary organisations and communities need to work together, challenge prejudice and build relationships before tensions escalate.

The North East has a proud tradition of strong communities and solidarity. Tackling hate means building on those strengths: listening to people affected, standing alongside them and making it clear that everyone has the right to feel safe, respected and included.