Drive to cut hate crime launched

Central Scotland Police today launched a three-year plan to cut hate crime.

It is designed to help people who are victims of intimidation, harassment or physical assault because of their race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity.

Emergency services, local authorities, health services, prosecutors, victims’ representatives, further and higher educational establishments and the Equality Council will work together as part of the Multi-Agency Hate Response Strategy (MAHRS) in the Central Scotland Police area.

It aims to make communities safer by promoting better understanding and recording of hate incidents, identifying any trends and caring for victims of hate crime.

The partnership will focus on five strands of diversity – race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity – which can all be the subject of hate crime.

Assistant Chief Constable Gordon Samson, who is chairman of the MAHRS steering group, said: “Those who think it is acceptable to commit a criminal act against another individual because of homophobia, transphobia, religious bigotry, racism or disability-related prejudice need to realise that this behaviour has no place within our communities.

“Anyone who believes they have been a victim of an incident motivated by hate can have confidence in reporting it to the authorities and of receiving a professional service.

“The welfare of any victim is treated with a high priority and the joint approach ensures the right level of response is given to this very serious issue.”