Sectarian crime increasing year upon year in Derry - according to new data

Reported sectarian crime has increased year upon year in Derry over the past four years, according to new data. 

Derry was subjected to another racist and sectarian hate crime in the last week when graffiti appeared on a new property development in Church Brae in the Waterside area. 

The incident was widely condemned by the PSNI and local politicians.

Chief Inspector McManus said: “We are treating this incident as not only criminal damage but as a hate crime, which is totally unacceptable.

“This will not be tolerated. We will continue to work closely with our partners, community representatives, and elected representatives. Hate crime has no place in our society whatsoever. Be reassured, we will be relentless in our approach to identify those involved.”

This incident is not an isolated event, as seen with the paint being thrown over Walker’s Plinth in early July. 

Derry News have acquired new data from a Freedom of Information request to the PSNI looking at reported sectarian crimes in Derry. 

In 2020, the reported sectarian hate crimes to the PSNI were recorded at 70. 

Since then, the figures have increased year upon year, with 2021 recording 88 incidents, while 2022 recorded 100. 

The rise continued into 2023 with 115 incidents of reported sectarian crimes in Derry. 

Sinn Fein councillor Sandra Duffy said there was no place for ‘any form of hatred or discrimination’.

She said: “There is no place for sectarianism or any form of hatred or discrimination anywhere in our society.

"Anyone with information on sectarian attacks or crimes should bring it forward to the police."

Meanwhile, many children involved within Reach Across, a cross-community youth organisation for 14-17 year olds in the North West region of Northern Ireland, giving their members the chance to socialise, have fun, and broaden their horizons, were shocked at the figures.

Jake, one of the members at Reach Across, said: “You think with things like cross-community youth groups, you would have thought things were getting better.

“The fact it is getting worse is concerning.”

Meanwhile, Logan added her experience of casual sectarianism through everyday life. 

She said: “I went to a mixed primary school, and so I never truly understood the difference until I went to secondary school, and I learned the difference incredibly quickly. There are a lot of nasty things that can be said, and it was eye-opening. 

“Coming to Reach has helped solidify my earlier view from primary school that it doesn’t matter where you are from or who you are; we are people and deserve basic respect.”

Kelsey, another one of the children interviewed regarding the rise in reported sectarian crime, believes people find it hard to put the past behind them, but they must make a concerted effort to do this for the future generations in Derry. 

She said: “It is crazy to think about because we are in a cross-community youth club. We don't really think about what is happening elsewhere, as we are happy coming together. 

“Like you look at Belfast and the agreement not to take down the wall, that puts me into perspective. Regardless of the stigma from our backgrounds, those of our families too. We want to move past this, and I don’t care what your background is; you should be welcome anywhere and into our friendship groups. 

“There should be more people looking to join groups like this reaching across the community and improving future relations in our city.”