Post Brexit race hate offences revealed

London Underground stations were the scene for a number of the reported incidents. Picture: Getty

There were 119 alleged race hate offences recorded by British Transport Police in the fortnight after the EU referendum.

London Underground stations were the scene for a number of the reported incidents.

A member of staff at Wood Green was allegedly assaulted and racially abused, while a suspect was arrested on suspicion of making racist comments to another passenger at Hounslow Central.

Racist graffiti was reported at Golders Green station, while a staff member at Notting Hill Gate, near Kensington Palace, was allegedly subjected to racist behaviour.

Police officers were said to have been racially abused on several occasions, including at King’s Cross and London Victoria stations.

Incidents which took place outside the capital include a suspect arrested on suspicion of being racially abusive towards staff at York station, while an individual was held at Newcastle station after allegedly using racist language in front of police officers.

Most of the incidents occurred in major urban areas, but at Oxenholme Lake District station in Cumbria racist language was said to have been used towards rail staff the day after the referendum result was revealed.

At Bath Spa, Somerset, racist language was allegedly used in front of passengers and police officers, and in the Surrey market town of Dorking there was a report of racist comments being made to members of the public.

Racist graffiti was spotted on a wall at Croftfoot station in Glasgow, while Old Roan, near Liverpool, was the site for alleged racist comments being made towards a Merseyrail passenger.

Rose Simkins, chief executive of charity Stop Hate UK, said: “While we are encouraged that people have found confidence to report incidents due to the national publicity on the issue, it is a sad fact that the numbers of all hate incidents are extremely under-reported.

“We consistently hear from victims that one of the reasons they do not report incidents is a lack of confidence in authorities to deal with the issue.

“We would encourage BTP to look closely at incidents being reported and to assess how effective their hate crime strategies are.”

BTP polices Britain’s railways as well as a number of urban networks such as London Underground.

Superintendent Chris Horton, of BTP, said: “Hate crime is totally unacceptable and has no place in society or on the rail network.

“We are aware hate crime is under-reported and so in order to tackle it effectively, we need the public to stand up to those committing these sickening acts and report it to us. We will take every report seriously.

“We will work to ensure those who intimidate passengers are brought to justice.”