Kingston sees biggest gay-hate crime drop in London (From Your Local Guardian)

Kingston sees biggest gay-hate crime drop in London

2:10pm Tuesday 28th July 2009

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Kingston has seen the biggest percentage drop in gay-hate crime in London, according to new police figures.

In the year to June 2009, there were eight homophobic attacks in the borough, compared with 18 the year before.

The 55 per cent reduction compared favourably against the 23 London boroughs where homophobically-motivated crimes went up, but raised questions over whether hate crime was being reported.

The large percentage drop is being put down to the low figures involved in Kingston, compared with boroughs like Westminster where gay-hate crime dropped from 113 to 94 crimes.

Detective Inspector Brian Fitzpatrick from Kingston police’s community safety unit said work was being done with local groups to prevent hate crimes and deal with them when they happen.

He said: “Gay hate crime is low in Kingston and there has been no need for any particular initiative to deal with it.

"The good practices built up over the years should ensure that this will remains the case and that Kingston continues to be one of the safest boroughs in Greater London.”

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