North laws target hate crimes and car theft

TOUGH new laws to combat hate crime and joy-riding in the North came into force yesterday.

Under the laws there is a statutory requirement on judges to treat racial and religious aggravation and hatred of sexual orientation or disability as a aggravating factor when sentencing.

It also creates offences and heavier penalties to tackle car crime.

Northern Ireland Criminal Justice Minister John Spellar insisted: “The government will not tolerate racism, sectarianism or hostility based on sexual orientation or disability.”

The new legislation brought much needed change to the law, substantially strengthening the measures available to tackle crime motivated by such hatred, he said.