Context
The CPS has been criticised for not adequately addressing hate crimes committed on the internet due to anonymity issues.
Question
While acknowledging the positive aspects of the internet, Sally-Ann Hart highlights its role in facilitating the spread of hate crime anonymously. She asks what measures the Department is implementing to ensure that online hate crime receives equivalent legal penalties as offline offences.
Answer from Michael Ellis (The Solicitor of the Treasury)
The proportion of hate crime convictions with an announced and recorded sentence uplift has increased from just 12.1% in 2014 to 73.6% now, indicating a significant increase in prosecution rates for hate crimes overall. While acknowledging that online instances of hate crime pose unique challenges, Michael Ellis confirms that the Department continues to work on addressing these issues and improving the handling of online hate crime.
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