Why wasn't this a racial attack?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail....ate-crime-attack.html

This is to be classed by the police as a hate crime, had it been an attack by a gang of whites upon a black person, it would have been an entirely different matter.

It would then have certainly been classed a racial attack and some ABers would have be clambering to post their utter disgust at such a cowardly and savage attack.

Interesting to note that Det Insp Dave Moores said:

/// ‘I completely understand why this would cause some legitimate concern in the community, but I do not want anyone to jump to any conclusions about this.///

What conclusions does he mean, that two poor defenceless young white men were attacked by a mob of eight Asian youths, and it was not a racial attack, what other conclusion could one come to?

[B00]

Aren't hate crimes and racial crimes the same thing just by another name?

[jomifl]

There is surely more to this..

[Ankou]

who knows, maybe the young lads were holding hands and it was a homophobic attack.

there are many scenarios we could consider given the scant details, but its a bit early for "conclusions" isn't it ?

[douglas9401]

It's called flexible policing friend, i.e. the upholders of the law bend over backwards to appease those who shout loudest.

[anotheoldgit]

Boo quite right, but I am afraid a racial crime is considered much more serious and carries a much stiffer sentence.

[rojash]

You are confusing the investigation with the charge. The incident has been classed as a hate crime for investigative purposes. That's normal for any crime that is suspected of being motivated by prejudice (of whatever type).

If, and when someone is charged, they may be charged with a racially aggravated offence, depending on the evidence available.

[FredPuli43]

AOG 'hate crime' is not a legal term. It is merely a term used by the press to cover all sorts of such crimes as homophobic and racial attacks. A racial attack is a hate crime, so your question is based on a false premiss.

[Gromit]

I was actually about in Hyde on Saturday night. The local football match was postponed because of the snow and many (in desperation) resorted to watching Man City 5.30pm match in the pubs. Consequently there were a lot of very drunken people about by 10pm. It 'kicked off' in one of the pubs. I offer this not as an excuse, but as a bit of background. If this was an unprovoked attack then it should be condemned. If it were drunks who got in a fight, then it should not.

http://menmedia.co.uk...r-gang-attack-in-hyde

In answer to the question, the police have yet to find a motive. If it was unprovoked and they were attacked just because they were white, then it would be a racial attack. We will have to wait and see.

[sp1814]

Ankou raises a very good point. Their race may have had nothing to do with their attack. It may very well have been their sexuality. At this point, it would be jumping the gun to call it a 'racial attack', if the reason behind the attack was gay-hate.

[hc4361]

From the report in the link you provided:
police are treating the incident on Saturday night as a race hate crime.

Read more: http://www.dailymail....ck.html#ixzz1lgrRTrdW

[Gromit]

From the Mail

// A police spokesman confirmed the attack was being treated as a hate crime, although it is understood there were no racist or other comments directed at either victim. //

[exdc]

Info about Hate Crime:

http://www.cps.gov.uk...crime/hate_crime.html


Note the open definition, Any incident which is perceived to be racist or religiously motivated by the victim or ANY other person

[rov1100]

Maybe its because the authorities turn a blind eye to attacks of this nature for fear of setting off a racial war and as the Asian population is nearly 3 million will be in the minority and heavily outnumbered.

[exdc]

1 x arrest

http://news.sky.com/h...news/article/16164844

[Dolly1308]

Of couse it wasn't a racial attack -the attackers weren't white were they !

[chelle7272]

erm the article says it is being treated as a race hate crime as posted by hc above...

[hc4361]

dolly, do you sincerely believe only white people are charged with race crimes in the UK?

[pa___ul3]

I love it when people completely ignore facts to 'tell it like it is'! Sensible people will reserve judgement until the facts are out.

[anotheoldgit]

Thank you all so far for entering into a sensible debate on this issue.

Also thanks rojash for your detailed explanation, although the Daily Mail report is giving out mixed messages.

/// Police treating the incident as a hate crime. ///

/// The gang of attackers were all Asian and the police are treating the incident on Saturday night as a race hate crime. ///

Under one photograph it says:

/// Victim: Police hunting a gang of Asian youths who battered the teenager and left him for dead are treating the savage beating as a 'hate crime' ///

and then:

/// A police spokesman confirmed the attack was being treated as a hate crime, although it is understood there were no racist or other comments directed at either victim. ///

So I wonder what it is a 'hate crime', 'race hate crime' or simply a 'racist attack'. but then sp1814 enters another crime into the equation that being 'gay hate' or would that be a homophobic attack?

Perhaps things will be clearer when the police manage to get hold of the scum-bags, but in the meantime I wonder what the lads mother's opinion would be on immigration?

And before anyone says that would be racist of her, do you not think that would be a natural reaction in the circumstances?

[Gromit]

chelle7272

The article actually says

// A police spokesman confirmed the attack was being treated as a hate crime, although it is understood there were no racist or other comments directed at either victim. //