Hate Crime in Sheffield: Understanding Trigger Events and How They Impact

• In Event: Preventing and investigating hate crimes

Abstract

To date, existing studies into the phenomenon of 'trigger events' almost exclusively focus on high profile events and the increase in hate crimes that typically ensue (Allen & Nielsen, 2002; Disha et al, 2011, Allen, 2021, Pickup et. al., 2021; Gray & Hansen, 2021; Moore, 2022). New research, however, suggests otherwise; that a much broader array of events at the local, national and international levels serve to function as 'trigger events', some triggering an increase in inter- and intra-community tensions either instead of or in addition to increases in hate crimes. This paper presents new empirical data to support this. More specifically, it examines how certain local incidents and events acted as 'triggers', leading to a temporary surge in hate crimes, expressions of hate, or exacerbation of inter-/intra-community tensions in the city of Sheffield. Accordingly, it examines what these phenomena looked like in the city and, importantly, how they were responded to at all levels. Drawing from a qualitative study involving more than 120 stakeholders across the city, it unveils a spectrum of 'trigger events', both planned and unplanned, ranging from geopolitical conflicts to local controversies, sparking targeted hate crimes and community discord. In doing so, this paper discusses the interconnectedness of 'trigger events' with broader societal issues, including socio-economic disparities and cultural tensions and considers whether in the current climate, increases in hate crimes and community tensions are inevitable. Directly responding to a known gap in the existing literature around triggers of hate, this paper stands as a pioneering scholarly investigation that seeks to better understand the role, function and impact of the former: events that span the social, political, cultural and economic and function to catalyse a sharp increase in levels of hate that typically target groups or communities of blame as a means of 'revenge' or 'retaliation'.

Author

• Christina Verousi, Northumbria University