Policing hate crime in London and New York City: some reflections on the factors influencing effective law enforcement, service provision and public trust and confidence

The discussion contained within this article is derived from empirical research that explored the policing of hate crime in London and New York City. Through an examination of a range of policies, practices and experiences of those involved in the policing of hate crime, the article argues that this aspect of law enforcement and service provision is shaped by a complex relationship between a number of interdependent variables, which it is suggested can be broadly grouped into four categories: law, the police, the public and social context. The underlying message is that hate crime in particular is a social construct over which the police and public (most notably victims) have differing degrees of control, and that in turn this will inevitably impact upon the extent and nature of the hate crime ‘problem’, the way in which the ‘problem’ is responded to, and the effectiveness of these responses. In turn these inevitably have important implications for victims and communities and their experiences and perceptions of police service provision, and the wider social context in which the policing of hate crime takes place.