Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site
We use some essential cookies to make our website work. We’d like to set additional cookies so we can remember your preferences and understand how you use our site.
You can manage your preferences and cookie settings at any time by clicking on “Customise Cookies” below. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our Cookies notice.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Sorry, there was a technical problem. Please try again.
This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.
Request:
Would you please be able to tell me, for each of the last three years:
Q1. The number of allegations you've received about racism on social media
Q2. The number of arrests made in relation to alleged racism on social media
Q3. The number of charges in relation to alleged racism on social media
Response:
Extent and Result of Searches to Locate Information
To locate the information relevant to your request searches were conducted within North Yorkshire Police.
I can confirm that the information you have requested is held by North Yorkshire Police.
Decision
I have today decided to disclose the located information to you.
Q1. Please see the following table which shows the total number of crimes recorded between 01 January 2021 to 04 April 2024 with a racial hate crime strand applied and also where the MO remarks mention: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, WhatsApp.
Crime Type |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
Total |
Arson & Criminal Damage |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Misc Crimes Against Society |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Public Order Offences |
1 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
Violence Against The Person |
7 |
12 |
17 |
4 |
40 |
Total |
8 |
16 |
18 |
4 |
46 |
Q2. There have been 2 arrests made. I am exempting any other information to this question pursuant to section 30 (Investigations). Please see the explanation below.
Q3. There have been Zero charges made.
Explanation of exemptions
Section 17 of the Act requires North Yorkshire Police, when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to provide you the applicant with a notice which: (a) states that fact, (b) specifies the exemption in question and (c) states (if that would not otherwise be apparent) why the exemption applies. Please see the exemption explanations below.
Section 30 is a qualified, class-based exemption, which requires that I conduct a public interest test to balance the legitimate interests of the public in knowing the information against the interests of non-disclosure.
Public Interest Test S30
Reasons for Disclosure
Better awareness may reduce crime
The public have an interest in understanding how the police investigate crime.
There is legitimate public interest in knowing how public funds are spent.
Reasons against Disclosure
Law enforcement tactics would be compromised.
The force’s future law enforcement capabilities would be affected.
Disclosure could hinder the prevention and detection and crime, as any offenders could potentially take measure to avoid detection.
Information may undermine the operational integrity of any ongoing investigation.
Balancing Test
After considering the reasons for and against disclosure, it is my opinion that the reasons for non-disclosure outweigh the reasons for disclosure.
Pursuant to Section 17(1) of the Act this letter acts as a refusal notice under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in relation to part of your request .
Please note that systems used for recording information are not generic, nor are the procedures used locally in capturing the data. It should be noted therefore that this force’s response to your questions should not be used for comparison purposes with any other responses you may receive.