AS a result of this month’s Hate Crime Awareness Week, the Crime Prosecution Service (CPS) nationally has launched a public consultation and is asking for community views to help shape future policy to improve the response to prosecuting crimes against disabled people.

Steve Hoolohan, deputy chief crown prosecutor of CPS Wessex, which covers Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, said: “Crimes against disabled people and disability hate crime have a huge impact not only on the victim but throughout our communities, and they have no place in our society.

“We are looking at our policy on prosecuting these crimes and actively seeking the views of communities to help us shape our policies.

“Over the 12 months up to the end of June, we have prosecuted 49 disability hate crimes across Wessex, with 83.7 per cent resulting in a conviction. This is only the tip of the iceberg, we know that disabled people are victims of hate crime on a daily basis and we hope these figures provide confidence that the Crown Prosecution Service will do all it can to support victims and achieve justice for them thereby encouraging more victims to come forward.”

To take part in the CPS consultation process, visit cps.gov.uk.