Hate crime figures fall but disability attacks reach record high

The National

2 days ago

HATE crime has decreased almost across the board since a controversial Holyrood law came into force, figures have shown.
Statistics from the Scottish Government reveal that despite a fall in nearly all categories, hate crimes recorded against disabled people have surged to record levels.
The statistics are the first to include crimes under the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, which came into force on April 1 last year.
Overall, there were 6019 hate crimes recorded in 2024-25 – down 1.2% on the year before.
But charges aggravated by disability rose by 15% to 1069 – the highest annual number recorded since the legislation creating the aggravation came into force in 2010.
Recorded hate crimes against disabled people have risen consistently since the start of the last decade.
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Race continued to be the most commonly reported hate crime in Scotland, with 3357 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.
Hate crimes over sexual orientation, the second most common type, decreased by 8.7% to 1699 – 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.
(Image: PA)
Dorothy Bain KC (above) 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.
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'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.'