Exclusive: Race and religious hate crimes on the rise.

Reports 22nd January, 2016

Figures obtained by the Bristol Cable from Avon and Somerset Police show that the the attack on Totterdown Mosque is the tip of the iceberg.

At a time of mounting tension around migration and inter-community issues, hate crimes categorised as religiously motivated rose by almost 16% in 2015, recorded by Avon and Somerset Police.

This is within an overall rise in hate crimes, rising from from 1,723 in 2014 to 1,847 in 2015, an increase of 7%. The vast majority of these incidents, 85%, are flagged as race-related. 6% are recorded as related to religious hatred. (A record can have more than category.)

Increase in incidents of hate crimes in 2015 from previous year, as recorded by Avon and Somerset Police.

YEAR	All Hate	Race	Religious
2014	1723	1462	103
2015	1847	1574	119

% Increase	7.20%	7.66%	15.53%

% of total
2014	100%	84.85%	5.98%
2015	100%	85.22%	6.44%

Find the FOI request results here: FOI: Hate Crimes, Avon and Somerset Police. January 2016

Read more on: police, race and racism, religion

Keep the Lights On

Investigative journalism strengthens democracy – it’s a necessity, not a luxury.

The Cable is Bristol’s independent, investigative newsroom. Owned and steered by more than 2,600 members, we produce award-winning journalism that digs deep into what’s happening in Bristol.

We are on a mission to become sustainable – will you help us get there?

Join now

What makes us different?

Related content

Hope Is Around The Corner

Bristol Patriots ‘unity march’ is a sham. We need to come out to oppose it

The far-right group’s latest demo claims to be about ‘religious unity’ but excludes Muslims. Bristol won’t fall for that

Nikesh Shukla

Edition 41

A wooden sign reading welcome in English and other languages hanging on a brick wall.

Easton Family Christian Centre: A sacred space reimagined

Community Engagement lead Begonya Miranda visits Easton Christian Family Centre — a church remarkable for its interfaith approach and powerful model of belonging

Begonya Miranda

Listen: Bristol Unpacked with Neil Maggs

Listen: Bristol Unpacked – mythbusting Islam and Islamophobia with Rizwan Ahmed

What is Islamophobia, what do Brits really know about the Islamic faith, and how can we all get along better? Neil gets deep into religion, identity and politics with Rizwan Ahmed of Bristol Muslim Cultural Society.

Alex Turner, Neil Maggs / Maggs Smart Media and George Colwey

Listen: Bristol Unpacked with Neil Maggs

Listen: Bristol Unpacked with Bristol Cathedral’s city chaplain Phil Nott, a reverend on a mission for social justice

Reverend Nott does not fit the stereotypical image of an Anglican priest. How can this LGBTQ+ ally, and outspoken voice on the Church's historical role in racism and injustice, work with an institution steeped in conservatism?

Neil Maggs / Maggs Smart Media, Adam Cantwell-Corn and George Colwey

Coping with Covid

A Ramadan like no other in coronavirus Bristol

With coronavirus restrictions in full force and lockdown extended, mosques remain closed, big iftar dinners cancelled, and worship confined to the home. And so, this Ramadan is like no other.