David Cracknell and Alan Schofield
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RACIALLY and religiously motivated attacks have risen 12% in the past year, according to government figures to be released this week.
The Ministry of Justice statistics show there were 41,000 racially or religiously aggravated offences in 2005-06, the latest year for which figures are available.
Experts are likely to link the increase to fears related to terrorism and immigration.
Following the attack on Glasgow airport in June, racist incidents across Scotland have soared, with sharp rises in violent attacks, abuse and harassment in the four weeks after the car bombing. The worst cases included attempts to blow up an Asian shop and a mosque.
There was a similar rise in attacks on Asians in Britain after the 9/11 atrocity.
The figures out this week will also show black people are seven times more likely to be stopped and searched than white citizens. Black suspects are also far more likely to go to court and prison.
Last week Keith Jarrett, president of the National Black Police Association, caused controversy when he called for the police to increase stops and searches of black people to reduce shootings. He argued this would help protect black people, who are disproportionately likely to be murdered.
The new statistics bear out Jarrett’s argument, finding 10% of homicide victims are black, far higher than their proportion in the population. A further 7% of victims are Asian, with 4% from other ethnic minorities. Of those murder cases, one in three black victims was shot, as opposed to one in 10 for Asians and one in 20 for whites.
Earlier this year it emerged Asian people were twice as likely to be stabbed or “bottled” to death than they were a decade ago, according to Home Office figures released under the Freedom of Information Act.
The statistics showed the proportion of Asians killed by “sharp instruments” had risen from 4.5% to 8.5%. There was a surge around the time of 9/11, with such killings doubling to 30 between April 2001 and March 2002.
The proportion of blacks fatally stabbed or bottled over the past decade increased from 7.5% to 11.8%. The proportion of whites killed in such attacks fell from 84% to 73.6%.
The rise in Islamophobia in Britain after 9/11 was charted in a report by the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia, which found increases in assault, verbal abuse, damage to property and Muslim women being spat at.
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Everyone's part of the problem.Even if you don't make racist remarks,if you let others make them you're just as bad.You can't let it slide.Racist remarks are common in my school.I find that disgusting.Why do people feel the need judge others by the colour of their skin?What difference does it make?
Maebh, Glenarm, N.I.
To the comments below, just because whilst faced with the facts above you delude yourself that the opressor has become the opressed does not mitigate the reality of the situation. You are a prime example that demonstrates that people can hold fairly deluded and highly irrational fears which are probably exaccerbated by the scare mongering and half truths that you read in your trashy papers which in turn escalates and fuels further your delusional beliefs. This cycle for some leads to violence against people of colour in this country. You are part of the problem!
which most Asians are viewed on with hostility by people like yourselves you are part of the problem.
NM, London, UK
There doesnt seem to be a breakdown of who's been abusing who (according to the police having asians making racists remarks about you because you have red hair doesnt count!) , did the terrorists attacks in London count a couple of years ago?
Stewart in Japan raised a very valid point, there has been no press coverage of the attempted murder of Henry Webster a 16 year old student in Wiltshire by an asian gang armed with hammers
Time to get rid of the lab/con/lib alliance and choose a government that has OUR best interests at heart
Andrew W, Chester,
As a white man living in an asian community it's of no surprise to me that rascist attacks are on the increase. The area I live is now a no-go for white people after dark.
Many of my white friends have been attacked both physically and verbally by asian rascists for no other reason than that they are white.
jezza , wolverhampton,
all people have a reponsibilty to reduce these attacks, people should value unity and respect one an other. sadly there seems to be vicious streak in all communities. the police must bring these attackers to justice without fear nor favour.
john, dublin, ireland
"trouble is whites have no rights in this country now"
- I would agree with you if white people were made to sit on the back of buses or denied a vote but since that is the case your comment is laughable. John Smith I would believe you but I somebody told me that immigrants are benefit scroungers( and hence not stealing jobs) . I don't know who to believe
Raymond, Liverpool,
I am not a bit surprised that racist attacks are on the rise in Britain. Homegrown taxpayers see these immigrants coming over here, stealing their jobs and sending their money home. In addition, they also break up communities, will not integrate and are bringing about an end to the traditions which for centuries have given us pride. It's only a matter of time before it kicks off. I'll certainly be voting B.N.P. and know many others who will do so too.
John Smith, Sheffield, England
well if i complained about the racists remarks i get they would sure out number what the black or asians get . but the the whites dont or cant complain . you just get laughed at but . the other way around its a nice way to make a few bob just look around to find out who as made alot of money. and got a nice job now . trouble is whites have no rights in this country now . only people in high paid jobs.
chas, coventry, uk
So what are the percentages of whites been racially attacked. Infact the media rarely report such cases, so do they exist???
Wake up, stop adding insult that it is whites only who commit racial abuse. How many whites have passed groups of Asians or blacks and been verbally abused or even physically abused?? Dont be so scared to report all cases. The majority of people know what is going on, so report all the crimes.
Stewart Tulip, osaka, japan
The figures seem to follow those in the USA on a proportional basis. Perhaps we need Dr John Watson to be engaged in the team to discover why this is so? Or do we already know but are just too scared to publicly admit it?
B J Deller, Marbella, Spain