By Tony O’Reilly-
A troubling surge in hate crimes against police officers across the United Kingdom has prompted renewed calls for action, as new data reveals the scale of abuse faced by those on the front line. Backed by the Cleveland Police Federation, the Stop Racism Against Police campaign is gaining momentum following figures showing that at least 10,922 hate crimes were reported against officers between 2022 and 2025—numbers widely believed to understate the true extent of the crisis.
The figures, obtained through a Freedom of Information request to forces across the country, paint an incomplete but alarming picture. With 21 police forces unable to provide data, estimates suggest the real number of incidents could be significantly higher, potentially nearing double the recorded total. Within Cleveland Police alone, reported hate crimes rose sharply from 49 in 2023–24 to 78 in 2024–25, underscoring a growing and deeply personal threat faced by officers.
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This rise is not occurring in isolation but reflects a broader historical pattern of hostility toward law enforcement that, at times, has intersected with racial tensions. One of the most notable flashpoints came during the 2011 England riots, when police officers were subjected to targeted violence and abuse, including racially charged attacks. While the context differs, the underlying hostility highlighted then echoes in today’s findings, raising concerns that lessons about officer protection and societal attitudes remain insufficiently addressed.
At the centre of the current campaign is Lauren Somerville, who has emerged as a vocal advocate for recognising and confronting the issue. She argues that racially or religiously aggravated assaults carry a distinct and more damaging impact, adding “an extra layer of hatred” to the daily risks officers already face. For Somerville, the problem is not only the frequency of these incidents but the failure to properly capture and respond to them.
Her concerns are reinforced by a snapshot survey she conducted among officers, which drew 121 anonymous responses. The findings revealed a pattern of underreporting, with many officers choosing not to log incidents of abuse or assault. The reasons appear complex: administrative burdens, time pressures, and a pervasive belief that reporting may not lead to meaningful outcomes. Compounding the issue, officers frequently continue working without taking time off, even after suffering physical or psychological harm.
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Somerville’s push for reform focuses on improving how incidents are recorded and understood. By ensuring that racially motivated abuse is logged as a distinct category and capturing lower-level offences—such as verbal abuse under public order legislation—forces can begin to build a clearer, more accurate picture of the risks officers face. Equally important, she argues, is recognising the psychological toll of repeated exposure to hostility, advocating for a culture in which officers feel supported in reporting trauma as well as physical injury.
The campaign also seeks to break down barriers that prevent officers from coming forward. Somerville has emphasised that support systems must be visible, accessible, and trusted, warning that any perception of indifference could discourage victims of hate crime within the ranks from seeking help. Her message is direct: no officer should feel isolated when targeted for who they are.
As the Stop Racism Against Police campaign gathers support, it highlights a difficult paradox at the heart of modern policing. Officers are tasked with protecting communities from hate crime, yet an increasing number are themselves becoming victims of it. Without clearer data, stronger reporting mechanisms, and a shift in organisational culture, the full scale of the problem risks remaining hidden—leaving those who serve the public to confront hatred in silence.
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