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Crown Office Statistics Reveal Levels of Hate Crime Reporting

New statistics published by the Scottish Government and Crown Office on hate crimes reported in 2017/18 have suggested more people are coming forward to report these incidents. 

The figures show that:

• racial crime remains the most commonly reported hate crime, with the number of charges reported - 3,249 - at its lowest level since 2003/4;
• sexual orientation aggravated crime is the second most common type of hate crime, with a 3% rise in reporting on last year;
• the number of reported incidents relating to disability has risen by 51%, from 188 to 284 charges, since 2016/17;
• 642 religiously aggravated charges were reported in 2017/18. Catholicism is the religion that was most often the subject of abuse, accounting for 50% of the charges, and down 17% from 2016/17; and
• 43% of victims in religiously aggravated charges were police officers.

“Hate crime is a key priority for Police Scotland,” commented Chief Superintendent John McKenzie. “We recognise the deep personal impact it has on individuals, their families and wider communities.”

“We are aware that hate crime is often under reported however Police Scotland is fully committed to reviewing and investigating all reports of hate,” he said. “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.”

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