Polly has given her strong backing to an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill that would introduce tougher sentences for hate crimes committed against LGBT people and people with disabilities.

Welcoming the tabling of the amendment by Rachel Taylor MP, Polly said it was long overdue that such crimes were treated with the same level of seriousness in law as hate crimes committed on the grounds of race and religion.

The new law, if passed by MPs, would make serious crimes motivated by prejudice against anyone because of their disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity “aggravated” offenses – as is currently the case for hate crimes motivated by race or religion. Aggravated offenses carry tougher sentences for perpetrators.

The amendment has attracted strong cross-party support, with more than 50 MPs from Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, and the Greens already backing it. The amendment will be debated on Wednesday 18^th June, with the possibility of a vote straight after.

Polly said:

Between March 2023 – 2024, over 40,000 hate crimes against people in Britain because of their sexual orientation, transgender identity, or disability were recorded by the police. We must treat these offences with the seriousness they deserve.

 

“Thanet has a thriving LGBT+ community and more people with disabilities than other parts of the country, so we are a community that knows the value of looking out for each other and standing firm against hatred. That’s why I am proud to add my weight to this amendment that would make this important and long overdue change to the law.