‘Shocking’ Increase In Hate Crimes Against Officers

Incidents of hate crime against police officers have increased by a shocking 24% in the past four years, new figures have shown.

There were 5,355 recorded hate crimes with a police officer as the victim in the last financial year.
This is up from 3,648 hate crimes against officers in 2020-21.

The increase is “very concerning”, South Yorkshire Police Federation has said, as Chair Steve Kent spoke up for his officers, some of whom are repeat victims, and called for the courts to impose harsher sentences as a deterrent.

South Yorkshire reported 103 such crimes against officers in 2025-26.

Steve added: “We’re good at getting people in front of the court, but the sentencing does not back that up.

“The political landscape is having a knock-on effect on our officers, which is totally unacceptable, and it needs to be dealt with harshly and publicly. We need better deterrents.”

Steve praised the work of Operation Hampshire, which encourages forces to report crimes and offers guidance for officers.

He added: “The Operation Hampshire work going on in the force is very good and of a very high standard. The organisation might not always get it right, but on the whole it does seem to be offering the right support to officers.”