Race Hate Crimes Against East And Southeast Asian People Have Quadrupled In Wake Of Coronavirus

In February, 64 race hate crimes were recorded in London by the Met, up from 20 in January and the highest number since 2018. In the first three month of 2020, BTP registered 42 race hate crimes even with the reduced use of transport stipulated by government advice, more than 400% of the levels recorded last year when there were nine. “In all the stories I’ve heard, the victims did not report it to the police.” Binna Kandola, a professor at Leeds University who researches cases involving spitting, death threats and violent assault, said: “There is a perception that things that happen to Chinese communities don’t really matter and it’s not worth bothering about.” A survey by Prof Kandola found that half of more than 400 people surveyed, mostly British-born Chinese, had experienced or witnessed discrimination since coronavirus emerged. Some people said they might leave the UK.” Southeast and East Asian communities represent less than 1% of the UK population, according to census data. I don’t feel safe in the streets anymore.” An MHCLG spokesperson said: “There is absolutely no place in our society for this vile and divisive behaviour and we will continue to work across government and with the police to bear down on offenders, support victims and eradicate this prejudice.”