Hate crime figures on the rise in Scotland
Hate crime in Scotland has risen since last year, with racial crime still the most commonly reported form, according to official figures published today.
All categories of hate crime showed an increase in 2019-20, though the total of 3,038 charges relating to race crime, while up by 4% compared to 2018-19, was still the second lowest annual figure since consistent figures became available in 2003-04.
Sexual orientation related crime was the second most commonly reported type, showing a 24% rise to 1,486. Apart from 2014-15, this type has risen each year since the legislation introducing this aggravation came into force in 2010.
There were 660 religiously aggravated charges reported in 2019-20, also up 24%, though this level is believed to be similar to that of three to four years ago.
Disability aggravated charges increased by 29% to 387, while offences with an aggravation of transgender identity rose from 40 to 41.
The figures relate to the number of charges rather than the number of individuals charged or the number of incidents that gave rise to such charges. Not all the charges will have proceeded to a conviction.
Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC commented: "Tackling crime motivated by hatred and prejudice has never been more important, and Scotland’s prosecutors take seriously their responsibility to protect the public from such offending.
"I am grateful to all of the victims of hate crime who have had the courage and confidence to report their experience, and I encourage anyone who is the victim of such crime to come forward.
"These crimes do not just impact on individuals, but erode the fabric of our society. That is why it is so important for Scotland’s independent prosecution service to continue to respond robustly and fairly, using all of the tools at our disposal."