Latest news with #HateCrimeandPublicOrder(Scotland)Act
The Herald Scotland
17-06-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Disability attacks increase despite hate crime being down overall
The statistics are the first to includes crimes under the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, which came into force on April 1 last year. Overall, there were 6,019 hate crimes recorded in 2024-25 – down 1.2% on the year before. But charges aggravated by disability rose by 15% to 1,069 – the highest annual number recorded since the legislation creating the aggravation came into force in 2010. Recorded hate crime against disabled people has risen consistently since the start of the last decade. Race continued to be the most commonly reported hate crime in Scotland, with 3,357 such charges being recorded over the last year. The figure, accounting for 55% of hate crimes, represents a decrease of 2.2% compared to the year before. Read More Hate crimes over sexual orientation, the second most common type, decreased by 8.7% to 1,699 – the lowest number of charges since 2020. Religious hate crime charges also decreased by 5.1% to 505, the lowest annual number since 2004. Hate crime charges against transgender people were down by one to 86. There were 88 charges related to age and 13 related to variations in sex characteristics, both of which are new aggravators included in the Hate Crime Act. There were 27 charges of stirring up hatred relating to race and another 65 for stirring up hatred against 'other protected characteristics' – both new charges under the Act. The Lord Advocate, Scotland's top law officer, urged the public to be vigilant over hate crime. Dorothy Bain KC said hate-fuelled crime continued to be a blight on Scotland's communities and urged the public to report any incidents to the police. She said: 'There is no room for complacency in our response to – and recognition of – hate crime. 'Last year, prosecutors at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) received reports with more than 6,000 charges fuelled by hatred and targeted at people who are simply being themselves. 'Today's publication highlights the shameful prejudice which persists and – in relation to those affected by disability – has been exposed in increasing numbers. 'Those of us who wish to live in a tolerant society find this abhorrent. Hate crime has hugely damaging effects on victims, their families and the wider community. 'COPFS will play its part in helping to make Scotland a safer place by prosecuting robustly those who victimise others through their own ignorance or bigotry.' Scottish Conservative Tory MSP Liam Kerr said: 'These figures reveal Humza Yousaf's Hate Crime Act for what it is – a completely unnecessary law that's a drain on police resources. 'We repeatedly warned that this bad law was unworkable and would lead to the police having to deal with a slew of spurious complaints. 'The relatively small number of charges being brought appears to bear this out. 'Instead of asking the police to continually enforce flawed legislation, SNP ministers should prioritise funding our police force so they can properly keep our communities safe.'
The National
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
UK ranked second-worst in western Europe for LGBT+ laws
Despite coming in first place in 2015, Britain has slipped further down the index every year since and is now ranked as the second worst country in western Europe and Scandinavia for LGBT+ legal protections, with a score of only 46%. Beating only Italy in the ranking, the UK fell six places this year as a result of the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding transgender people and the Labour Government's subsequent response. READ MORE: Graham Linehan pleads not guilty to harassment of transgender woman Rebecca Don Kennedy, CEO of the Equality Network, said: 'It is shameful that having been ranked best in Europe for LGBT+ laws ten years ago, we have fallen so far. 'For our treatment of trans people, after the Supreme Court ruling we are now known as one of the worst countries in the whole of Europe. 'The UK must do better.' ILGA-Europe — the international human rights group behind the index rankings — noted that, while hate crime law in Scotland improved with the introduction of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, it had little effect on the UK's overall score. Don Kennedy added: 'Scotland, when analysed separately, has in the past been considered progressive and a beacon of LGBTI+ equality and human rights. 'That seems to be quickly deteriorating – we ask the Scottish Government to act now and do everything they can to improve the lives of LGBTI+ people in Scotland and to not submit to growing anti-LGBGI+ narratives both globally and right here in Scotland. 'We call on the Scottish Government to lead, and to fight for a future Scotland that cares.' READ MORE: Keir Starmer 'completely rejects' comparisons with Enoch Powell The top five countries on the index — Malta, Belgium, Iceland, Denmark and Spain — almost double Britain's score, with theirs ranging from 78% to 89%. The European transgender rights network (TGEU) said: 'Previously a frontrunner on equality, the UK now has a Supreme Court, Prime Minister, and equality body singing from the same hymn sheet as anti-trans campaigners. 'The UK Supreme Court's decision, which defined a 'woman' for the anti-discrimination law, has severely undermined legal certainty for trans people.' You can click here for the full European Rainbow Index.
The National
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
UK ranked second worst in western Europe for LGBT+ laws
Despite coming in first place in 2015, Britain has slipped further down the index every year since and is now ranked as the second worst country in western Europe and Scandinavia for LGBT+ legal protections, with a score of only 46%. Beating only Italy in the ranking, the UK fell seven places this year as a result of the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding transgender people and the Labour Government's subsequent response. READ MORE: Graham Linehan pleads not guilty to harassment of transgender woman Rebecca Don Kennedy, CEO of the Equality Network, said: 'It is shameful that having been ranked best in Europe for LGBT+ laws ten years ago, we have fallen so far. 'For our treatment of trans people, after the Supreme Court ruling we are now known as one of the worst countries in the whole of Europe. 'The UK must do better.' ILGA-Europe — the international human rights group behind the index rankings — noted that, while hate crime law in Scotland improved with the introduction of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, it had little effect on the UK's overall score. Don Kennedy added: 'Scotland, when analysed separately, has in the past been considered progressive and a beacon of LGBTI+ equality and human rights. 'That seems to be quickly deteriorating – we ask the Scottish Government to act now and do everything they can to improve the lives of LGBTI+ people in Scotland and to not submit to growing anti-LGBGI+ narratives both globally and right here in Scotland. 'We call on the Scottish Government to lead, and to fight for a future Scotland that cares.' READ MORE: Keir Starmer 'completely rejects' comparisons with Enoch Powell The top five countries on the index — Malta, Belgium, Iceland, Denmark and Spain — almost double Britain's score, with theirs ranging from 78% to 89%. The European transgender rights network (TGEU) said: 'Previously a frontrunner on equality, the UK now has a Supreme Court, Prime Minister, and equality body singing from the same hymn sheet as anti-trans campaigners. 'The UK Supreme Court's decision, which defined a 'woman' for the anti-discrimination law, has severely undermined legal certainty for trans people.' You can click here for the full European Rainbow Index.
Edinburgh Reporter
08-05-2025
- Edinburgh Reporter
Hate crime incidents in Midlothian increase by more than 30%
Hate crime incidents in Midlothian increased by more than 30% as police continued to deal with the 'hangover' over new laws last year. A Police Scotland update on crime in Midlothian reported the number of hate crimes recorded between October, last year, and March was 181 -nearly a third higher than the five years average covering the same period. Acting local area commander Kirsty McArthur-Kerr told a meeting of Midlothian Police and Fire Board that the offences covered a range of aggravators including disability, race, religion, sexual orientation and transgender. And she said the rise was anticipated in the wake of the introduction of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act that was introduced on the 1st of April 2024. Inspector McArthur-Kerr told the board: 'We are still seeing the hangover from that and we continue to work with partners to encourage reporting of all hate crimes. 'Hate has no place in society and Midlothian police will actively pursue offenders and report criminality where evidence supports this.' The report revealed that elsewhere operations were having a positive impact on incidents across the county with no fatalities on the roads reports over the last year – something Councillor Peter Smaill hailed as not recalling being reported before. And there was a drop on housebreaking incidents, including attempted break-ins by nearly 13% with the detection rate higher than the national average at almost 39%. Inspector McArthur-Kerr said a dedicated housebreaking team had been established in the county with officers hand picked for their investigation skills. She told the board the team was able to look at not just individual reports, but bring them together to look for trends and tackle them. She added the availability of dashcam footage and doorbell camera and CCTV had made a huge difference to catching criminals telling the board 'it is worth its weight on gold.' By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
08-05-2025
- Edinburgh Live
Hate crime in Midlothian rises by a third as new law 'hangover' continues
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Hate crime incidents in Midlothian increased by more than 30% as police continued to deal with the 'hangover' over new laws last year. A Police Scotland update on crime in Midlothian reported the number of hate crimes recorded between October, last year, and March was 181 -nearly a third higher than the five years average covering the same period. Acting local area commander Kirsty McArthur-Kerr told a meeting of Midlothian Police and Fire Board that the offences covered a range of aggravators including disability, race, religion, sexual orientation and transgender. And she said the rise was anticipated in the wake of the introduction of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act that was introduced on the 1st of April 2024. Inspector McArthur-Kerr told the board: "We are still seeing the hangover from that and we continue to work with partners to encourage reporting of all hate crimes. "Hate has no place in society and Midlothian police will actively pursue offenders and report criminality where evidence supports this." The report revealed that elsewhere operations were having a positive impact on incidents across the county with no fatalities on the roads reports over the last year - something Councillor Peter Smaill hailed as not recalling being reported before. And there was a drop on housebreaking incidents, including attempted break-ins by nearly 13% with the detection rate higher than the national average at almost 39%. Inspector McArthur-Kerr said a dedicated housebreaking team had been established in the county with officers hand picked for their investigation skills. She told the board the team was able to look at not just individual reports, but bring them together to look for trends and tackle them. She added the availability of dashcam footage and doorbell camera and CCTV had made a huge difference to catching criminals telling the board "it is worth its weight on gold."
