Figures show slight increase in hate crimes

Within the figures, racial crime remains the most commonly reported hate crime with 3,712 charges reported in 2015-16, a decrease on last year and the lowest number reported since 2003-04.

581 charges with a religious aggravation were reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) in 2015-16, a three per cent increase on 2014-15.

Figures relating to the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act (OBFTCA) show there were 287 charges reported to COPFS under section 1 of the act in 2015-16, an increase of 49 per cent on the previous year. These related to 117 fixtures across 29 stadiums, up from 54 games played at 21 stadiums the year before.

Other findings in the reports include:

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: “While I am concerned at an increase in the number of charges on last year, including the rise in alleged offences against Islam, it does indicate an improvement in the willingness of the public to report these crimes, and that should be welcomed.”

He added: “The recent appalling scenes at the Scottish Cup Final demonstrated that the unacceptable behaviour of a minority of football fans continues to be a problem.

“An increase in the number of charges under the Offensive Behaviour Act shows that the legislation continues to be an important tool in tackling all forms of offensive behaviour, including sectarianism, and sends a clear message that such behaviour has no place in a modern, open and inclusive society. I have asked Scottish football to take further steps to address this long-standing issue and I expect to see progress on this imminently.”

Alastair Pringle, Director of the EHRC in Scotland said: “It might seem odd to be welcoming an increase in hate crime against LGBT communities but I think this reflects an increased confidence in reporting homophobic incidents to the Police rather than necessarily a rise in homophobia in Scotland.

“Over the last year the EHRC has been supporting the National LGBT Hate Crime Partnership to develop 3rd party and remote reporting in Scotland and this seems to be paying off.

“Scotland is now viewed as being one of the most LGBT friendly countries in world, and whilst homophobia is clearly unacceptable it’s heartening that so many people are now challenging and reporting the abuse rather than just suffering in silence.

“That said 1,000 incidents a year is completely unacceptable and a sustained effort is needed to identify the perpetrators and to eliminate this sort of prejudice from Scottish society.”