ACPO response to Equality and Human Rights Commission report

ACPO lead for equality, diversity and human rights, Chief Constable Stephen Otter said:

“Improving the way in which the police service recognises and responds to harassment and abuse of disabled people is a significant challenge facing policing. Our style of policing relies on consent and confidence of all groups of people in our society and we recognise that the confidence of disabled people in the criminal justice system is comparatively low.

“We are committed to building the confidence that disabled people have in the police service so that more victims and witnesses feel able to come forward and report crimes against them. We are making progress in this area and although there is still work to be done, I am encouraged by data which shows increasing numbers of disabled people reporting hate crimes against them to the police. We need victims and witnesses to continue to come forward and report crime, and partner agencies to work with the police to provide support, so that perpetrators can face the consequences of their actions in the courts.”

The report from the Equality and Human Rights Commission can be found here:
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/legal-and-policy/inquiries-and-assessments/inquiry-into-disability-related-harassment/hidden-in-plain-sight-the-inquiry-final-report/

For more information please contact:

ACPO Press Office
Association of Chief Police Officers
e: press.office@acpo.pnn.police.uk