In their insightful new paper, published today by the British Journal of Community Justice, Stevie-Jade Hardy, Neil Chakraborti and Ilda Cuko identify how police training can be improved to address the under-reporting and inconsistent recording of hate crime – aiming to bridge the gap between what victims need and police officers think victims need.

As the authors rightly note:

“At a time when levels of hate crime are rising, it is imperative that police officers and staff are equipped with the necessary understanding and skills to deliver a service which meets the needs of diverse communities.”

This new paper preludes the journal’s upcoming special issue which will reflect on the legacy of the MacPherson Report.  Published just over twenty years ago, this watershed moment in policing and race relations in the United Kingdom set out the findings and 70 recommendations from the judicial inquiry into the incompetent and flawed police investigation into the racially motivated murder of Stephen Lawrence.

If you would like to respond to this paper, or are interested in submitting an article of your own please contact us at: bjcj@mmu.ac.uk