Number of hate crime complaints drops by 75 per cent in week two of new law
The number of hate crime complaints dropped by almost 75 per cent in the second week of a controversial new law coming into force, it has been revealed.
Police Scotland said it received 1,832 online hate reports between April 8 and 14, down from 7,152 the previous week. The vast majority were anonymous and no action was taken. However, 213 hate crimes were recorded, down from 232 the previous week.
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Hide AdThis brings the total number of hate crimes recorded to 445 – substantially more than over the same period in previous years. Elsewhere, police recorded 25 non-crime hate incidents, five fewer than during the week before.
It comes amid continued controversy over the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, with MSPs set to vote on a Tory motion to repeal the legislation this week.
This will almost certainly fail due to the SNP-Green majority in Holyrood. However, the Tories are appealing for other opposition parties and “more sensible nationalists” to back their position.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We have seen a significant reduction in the number of online hate reports and these continue to be managed within our contact centres with minimal impact on frontline policing.
“All complaints received are reviewed by officers, supported by dedicated hate crime advisers, and dealt with appropriately, whether that is being progressed for further assessment, or closed as they do not meet the criteria under the legislation.”