Abuse on streets of Leeds must not be tolerated - we have to call it out - the YEP says

The experiences of Jonathan Ferguson are harrowing - but his bravery should be applauded.
The experiences of Jonathan Ferguson are harrowing - but his bravery should be applauded.The experiences of Jonathan Ferguson are harrowing - but his bravery should be applauded.
The experiences of Jonathan Ferguson are harrowing - but his bravery should be applauded.

The 34-year-old who has autism and other linked issues including dyspraxia, a co-ordination problem which affects his gait, has spoken out in a bid to stop others from becoming a victim of disability hate crime.

He regularly finds himself being heckled in the street by motorists - these cowards hide in the safety of their own motor vehicles as they hurl abuse. It is disgusting.

But sadly Jonathan is not alone.

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Shocking new figures have revealed that West Yorkshire has retained its position as the worst place in the country for disability hate crime.

The figures - branded “hugely disturbing” by charity chiefs - show that for 2019-20, the force recorded a total of 868 disability hate crimes, almost double the 477 total of the second highest force, London’s Metropolitan Police.

Abuse must not be tolerated on our streets.

And we have to call out this alarming behaviour.

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