Government action plan to crack down on hate crimes

Prosecutors will be urged to press for tougher sentences for perpetrators of hate crimes after a surge in reported incidents in the wake of the EU referendum.

A new fund will also be established for "protective security measures" at synagogues, mosques, churches and other places of worship.

The steps will be outlined in the Government's new hate crime action plan, which will be published next week.

It follows a sharp rise in alleged offences and incidents reported to police in the weeks before and after the referendum on June 23.

The Home Office said the action plan will set out steps to boost reporting of offences and support victims.

Prosecutors will be issued with fresh guidance on racially and religiously aggravated offences and encouraged to pursue tougher sentences by applying to courts to exercise existing powers to increase penalties in hate crime cases.

A £2.4million fund will be set up for protective security measures at vulnerable places of worship, while there will also be "targeted work" to prevent hate crime on public transport and tackle attacks on Muslim women, as well as a continued emphasis on eradicating anti-Semitism.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: "Hatred directed against any community, race or religion has no place whatsoever in our diverse society and it needs to be kicked to the kerb.

"We are Great Britain because we are united by values like democracy, free speech, mutual respect and opportunity for all.

"Where crimes are committed we must make sure victims have the confidence to report incidents and the law is rigorously enforced.

"At a time of increased concerns about a climate of hostility towards people who have come to live in our country, let me be absolutely clear that it is completely unacceptable for people to suffer abuse or attacks because of their nationality, ethnic background or colour of their skin. We will not stand for it."

The new action plan will set out "robust and comprehensive steps" to eradicate hate crime, Ms Rudd said.

She added: "I am extremely proud of the rich diversity and tolerance of our society and the shared values that underpin it.

"They are something we must all work together to treasure and protect. Together, by standing against hate and for tolerance, we can build a better and more united Britain that works for everyone."

A spate of reports in the wake of the EU referendum sparked fears of a wave of xenophobic and racial abuse.

Figures released on Friday showed more than 6,000 alleged hate crimes and incidents were reported to police in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in four weeks from the middle of last month.

The daily rate peaked at 289 reports on June 25 - the day after the referendum result was announced.

The main type of offence reported over the month was "violence against the person", which includes harassment and common assault, as well as verbal abuse, spitting and "barging".

Public order offences and criminal damage were the second and third most common incidents respectively.

Separate statistics published earlier this month showed the Crown Prosecution Service is prosecuting a record number of hate crimes.

In 2015/16, the CPS prosecuted 15,442 hate crimes - a 4.8% rise on the previous year. There were 13,032 prosecutions for racially and religiously aggravated hate crime, with a conviction rate of 83.8%.