Met Police arrest 195 people in anti-hate crime raids
An anti-hate crime operation carried out by the Met Police in London this morning has resulted in 195 arrests.
The raids, carried out at dawn, were timed to coincide with today’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, known as White Ribbon Day.
The majority of arrests were connected to domestic violence, although two were related to homophobic offences.
As of this afternoon, police were still counting up the total of arrests made.
Of the 195 arrests counted so far, 112 people remain in custody, 33 have been charged with offences and 50 have been bailed to return pending further inquiries.
Police were also targeting suspected racist and disability-motivated crime, as well as crimes against the vulnerable or elderly by members of their own family or carers.
The raids are part of Operation Athena and, since 2006, have been carried out twice yearly to coincide with White Ribbon Day in November and the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia in April.
Detective Superintendent Darren Williams, the head of the Public Protection Unit, said: “The Met police are committed to tackling violence in all its forms and aim to intervene at the earliest opportunities to protect and support victims of both sexes and make the perpetrators accountable.
“We are taking a proactive approach in order to bring those responsible to justice and support the victims of these heinous crimes. We are encouraging third party reporting and are developing stronger links with communities most at risk.
“We know that these types of crime are still under reported and we will continue to work hard to gain the trust and confidence of communities so that victims feel that they can come forward. My key message to victims of these offences is tell us what is happening so we can help you but if you can’t tell the police – tell someone.”
Deputy mayor for policing, Kit Malthouse, said: “There is no place in London for domestic violence and those arrested this morning found out first hand. The Met take this crime very seriously and we are grateful to all those officers involved in this important operation. I want to reassure Londoners that there is zero tolerance in the capital for these cowardly crimes and all perpetrators will be dealt with swiftly and severely. “
