Minister announces next steps to tackle hate crime

Charges of hate crime have seen an increase since 2014, and the Scottish Government has announced further steps in preventing it.

Communities and Equalities Secretary Angela Constance set out a series of practical measures, following recommendations by the Independent Advisory Group on Hate Crime, focused on tackling prejudice and building stronger communities.

Although racial crime, the most commonly reported hate crime, fell by 10% in 2016-17, charges reported for religiously aggravated hate crimes rose 14% on the previous year to the highest level since 2012-13, and sexual orientation hate crime increased by 5%.

Actions include tackling hate crime in the workplace, focusing on frontline staff; launching a public campaign to raise awareness of hate crime, how to report it and its impact on victims; working with transport providers and disabled people's organisations to have a hate crime charter for public transport; and creating a delivery group to ensure the recommendations lead to meaningful changes.

Ms Constance said: "These actions will drive practical measures in the months and years ahead that demonstrate Scotland's leadership in the fight against hate crime.

"We must continue to tackle the underlying causes and conditions that allow hatred and intolerance to flourish. It is vital in these challenging times that we remain united, which is why we are redoubling our efforts to promote fairness, equality and a respect right across our society. We are making abundantly clear that there is no place here for intolerance, discrimination or violence."