New police figures show shock rise in race hate crime in Scotland
Record numbers of people across Scotland are falling victim to hate crimes.
Shock new figures from Police Scotland show cases of racial and religious abuse have risen sharply in the past three years. However the vast majority of reported crimes now involve what police term a "racial aggravator." Yesterday anti racism campaigners laid the blame for the increase on the far right and political leaders like Nigel Farage who they accuse of stirring up anti immigration sentiments.
In 2022 there were 3838 recorded hate crimes where race was a factor, that rose to 3937 in 2023, and 4953 last year. In the first two months of 2025 there were 738 race related crimes reported to police. Among the regular victims of hate crimes are emergency workers. Figures for last year show 59 attacks on First Responders where racial or religious abuse was involved and 15 in the first two months of this year.
Leading human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar has no doubt where the blame rises for the increase in reported hate crime. He said:"Sadly, the statistics come as no surprise, when demonising migrants and minorities is now routine for so many politicians and sections of our media. "The likes of Trump and Farage have empowered the racists and far-right, to think they can abuse with impunity."
Robina Qureshi of Glasgow based anti racism charity Positive Action in Housing added: "I'm not surprised to see a rise in reported hate crimes – if anything, I'm surprised the numbers aren't even higher. "Nigel Farage lied about the billions we'd save for the NHS if we left the EU. "Now he's back, pointing the finger at refugees and Muslims, hoping we forget who really gutted this country. "We are living through a period of growing economic hardship and political instability, and history shows that in times like these, marginalised communities – particularly Muslims, immigrants and racial minorities – are often scapegoated."
Robina then added:"The figures from Police Scotland are just the tip of the iceberg. "We know that around 75 percent of people who experience racism don't report it to the police. "Many people simply don't believe the justice system will protect them or take their complaints seriously. "To rebuild that trust, we need to see real accountability. "That means robust enforcement of hate crime laws, meaningful convictions that show perpetrators will be held responsible, and urgent action to clamp down on social media platforms that spread misinformation and incite racial hatred. "If we don't address both the root causes and the platforms that amplify hate, these numbers will continue to rise – and with them, the danger to the communities most affected."
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The rise in crime figures follows the introduction of new hate crime legislation last year by the then First Minister Humza Yousaf. The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act became law in April 2024. In the first month alone 462 hate crimes were recorded - a 50 percent increase on April 2023 when 307 complaints were made to police.
The following month the number of reports rose to 518 up on the previous years figure of 391. The highest monthly number of complaints since the new law came in was 553 last August up from 366. In the first ten months of the new law there were 4794 hate crimes - more than 2022 and 2023. The Police Scotland report, released under Freedom of Information, also gives a breakdown of the different types of crime where hate crime and racial and religious abuse happens.
Hate Crimes are most common where the victim is the subject of threatening or abusive behaviour or the alleged perpetrator is accused of stirring up hatred. However hate crimes have also been recorded against people accused of assault, robbery, domestic abuse, stalking, burglary, shoplifting, arson, knife carrying, vandalism and even offences against children and animals.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said:"Hate crime has no place in our society. It will not be tolerated and targeting anyone because of who they are is deplorable. Everyone has a right to live safely as their true and authentic selves, without fear of prejudice. "Continuing to tackle hate crime remains a priority for Police Scotland officers and we treat people who bravely come forward with sensitivity, respect and dignity. "We understand it can be hard for people to report a hate crime, and in some cases to even recognise or acknowledge that they have been a victim. "Some people have been exposed to hate crimes for weeks, months or even years before they are able to report. "Anyone who has been a victim of hate crime should report it Police Scotland and every complaint will be professionally and robustly investigated."
There was also an increase last year in the number of religious hate crimes . Police Scotland recorded 572 cases in 2024 compared 477 the previous year. There were also 75 reports in the first two months of this year.
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