Keep on reporting, minister urges, as hate crime figures show mixed picture

Reporting of hate crime must continue, a Scottish Government minister said today, as new figures showed different trends regarding different categories of victim in 2017-18.

Incidents of racial hatred, by far the most common type, continued a downward trend, as did religiously aggravated crime, but incidents related to disability were sharply up while those connected with sexual orientation and transgender identity also rose.

Racial incidents were down 4% from 3,367 the previous year to 3,249, while religiously aggravated crime declined 5% from 678 incidents to 642 – though the report warns that direct comparisons are unreliable as regards the latter "because of the discontinuity in the figures due to the repeal of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012". Police officers accounted for 43% of the victms in this category.

Disability related charges were up 51%, from 188 to 284, but it is still believed that this type of crime continues to be underreported compared to other forms of hate crime. Aggravations relating to sexual orientation rose by 3% from 1,081 to 1,112, while transgender-related charges went up from 42 to 49. Click here to access the report.

Ms Ewing commented: "It’s reassuring to see more people are coming forward to report hate crime, and in particular disability hate crime. A significant amount of work has been done by Police Scotland, the Crown Office and community organisations over the past year to ensure this is happening.

"But I still believe this isn’t the full picture and remain concerned that crime motivated by prejudice is underreported and would urge anyone who experiences it to ensure it’s reported properly."

Chief Superintendent John McKenzie added: "We are aware that hate crime is often underreported; however Police Scotland is fully committed to reviewing and investigating all reports of hate. It is only through reporting offences that we can form a more complete picture of the issue and address it in the most robust manner possible.

"We run regular campaigns to increase public knowledge of hate crime and reporting methods. We want all members of our communities to feel able to report any incident to us, either directly or through one of our third party reporting organisations which offer support to report."

Details of the latter organisations can be found on the Police Scotland website.

Last month Lord Bracadale's review of hate crime in Scotland called for a single legal code covering all forms of hate crime. (Click here for news report.) Ministers intend to consult on his recommendations.