Disability hate crimes up by a third in Hertfordshire

Around 10 per cent of all sexual offences in 2016/17 were committed against children. Picture: Supplied

195 disability hate crimes in total were recorded in the region last year, nearly half of which were classified as ‘violence against a person’.

This includes assault, harassment, stalking and malicious communications.

Disability charity United Response believes disability hate crimes are under reported despite rising figures.

And that people with Down’s syndrome or autism may not recognise the abuse they have experienced as a hate crime or may lack the confidence to report these crimes to the authorities.

Joanne Silkstone, United Response hate crime lead, said: “It beggars belief that there are people out there who are targeting some of Hertfordshire’s most vulnerable people and doing them harm.

“This is unacceptable and we all must do everything we can to empower those who suffer this type of appalling abuse and discrimination to speak out.”