Homophobic hate crimes on the rise in Soho

Shocking new figures released by Scotland Yard, show that

homophobic attacks in Soho actually increased this year, according to the met

police.

The findings showed that homophobic hate crime increased by

as much as 26 per cent, from 117 to 148 incidents in the period between April

2010 and April 2011. This is alarming news for Soho, as the area has long been

a haven for the gay population, with a wealth of gay-friendly bars, pubs and

clubs and news that this particular type of crime is on the rise, will come as

a surprise and a disappointment for the Soho community in general.

Oddly, the figures taken for Soho contradict the overall

hate crime stats for the capital in general, as these were reported to have

actually fallen by 0.1 per cent, with total crime decreasing by 0.5 across all

32 London boroughs. So it begs the question; why are homophobic hate crimes

increasing in Soho? Are we not as a nation becoming even more tolerant of

diversity? Has Soho changed for the gay community through the years? And if so,

how and why? What do you think about these worrying statistics? Let us know

what you think.