Homophobic hate crimes reported to police

Dear Mr Henderson,

I acknowledge receipt of your correspondence received 27/10/2008 which is
being dealt with as a request for information in accordance with the
Freedom of Information Act 2000.

I am in the process of dealing with your request and will respond in due
course and in any case by 24/11/2008. Please contact us by e-mail at
[Cheshire Constabulary request email] if you have any further enquiries.

Regards,

Mrs S L Davies
Freedom of Information Compliance Officer
Tel: 01244 616556
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Cheshire Constabulary Headquarters
Clemonds Hey
Oakmere Road
Winsford
CW7 2UA
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Dear Mr Henderson,

I refer to your recent request for information under the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 as set out below:

Could you please inform me of

[1a] the total number of homophobic hate crimes reported to you in
the last year

[b] the last three years

[2a] the total number of those hate crimes that were reported to
the Crown Prosecution Service in the last year

[b] the last three years.

In accordance with section 1(1) (b) of the Act our response is provided
below;

Please Note: In relation to pert 2 of your question. The CPS is responsible
for advising the police and reviewing the evidence on cases for possible
prosecution (pre-charge decisions), deciding the charge where the decision
is to prosecute, preparing cases for court and presenting cases at court.

(See attached file: Homophobic crime 2006 - 2008 & disposals FOI 1521.xls)

If I can be of any further assistance in this matter, please do not
hesitate to contact me.

If you are not satisfied with the decision applied in this case I enclose
for your attention a copy of the Constabulary's appeal procedures.

(See attached file: FOI Appeals procedures.doc)

Regards

John Gannon
Freedom of Information Officer
01244 614176
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Cheshire Constabulary HQ
Oakmere Road,
Winsford,
Cheshire,
CW7 2UA
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