Disturbing" Hate Crime Figures Revealed In Belfast
Pink Press - 28 October 2004
The true extent of homophobic attacks in Belfast has been revealed, with new figures suggesting more than 5 hate crimes based on anti-gay feeling or racism take place in the city each week.

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The true extent of homophobic attacks in Belfast has been revealed, with new figures suggesting more than 5 hate crimes based on anti-gay feeling or racism take place in the city each week. The revelation has occurred during the current the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee visit to the province, which is intended to help find solutions to some of the problems minority groups in Ulster face. It is also looking into the proposed hate crime legislation, which will help local judges offer harsher sentences for crimes motivated by prejudice and discrimination. The committee has previously been told that police officers need more specific training in how to deal with lesbian and gay victims of crime, so as to help engage with the community more directly. According to the BBC, racist and homophobic attacks in some parts of Belfast have doubled between April and September. A total of nearly 130 attacks took place during the period, with anti-gay attacks ranging from verbal abuse and graffiti to death threats and stabbings. Some members of the District Police Partnership are calling for the local police service to consider surveillance in the fight against hate crimes, as well as a tougher stance on repeat offenders. Homophobic attacks in Northern Ireland have continued to dominate the news in recent months, particularly those attacks in Derry and Belfast. However, some gay rights groups say the true numbers are consistent, but work done by local police has encouraged more people to come forward and report the crimes, without fear of being dismissed
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