Hate crime
Hate crime has a devastating impact on people and communities, and we are committed to tackling it.
Hate crime is the term used to describe behaviour which is both criminal and rooted in prejudice. This means that the law has been broken, and the offender’s actions have been driven by hatred towards a particular group.
Hate crime law in Scotland provides protections for the characteristics:
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age
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disability
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race
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religion
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sexual orientation
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transgender identity
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variations in sex characteristics
Hate crime can include assault, verbal abuse, harassment, online abuse, and threatening behaviour.
Hate crime strategy and delivery plan
Our hate crime strategy (2023) sets out our vision where everyone lives free from hatred and prejudice.
Our associated hate crime delivery plan (2023 to 2026) provides more information about what we are doing to achieve this vision.
We developed these documents in partnership with organisations with expertise in tackling prejudice, building connected communities, and human rights. We also involved people who have experienced hate crime.
Priorities include:
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improving support for victims of hate crime
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improving data and evidence on hate crime
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developing effective approaches to preventing hate crime
Delivery is being overseen by the Hate Crime Strategic Partnership Group.
Changes to hate crime laws
We have introduced changes to hate crime laws through the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act.
This came into force in April 2024 and aims to provide greater protection for victims and communities.
The Act:
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brings together existing laws on hate crime
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added age to the list of protected characteristics
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added new stirring up of hatred offences
Find out more in: Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act: factsheet and information note.
To help tackle hate crime, it’s essential that we have have up-to-date information and evidence.
We have published data on hate crimes recorded by the police during 2022 to 2023. We will build on this by publishing more detailed annual reports, as set out in hate crime legislation.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) will continue to publish annual reports providing details of hate crimes reported to COPFS in Scotland.
Campaigns and awareness raising
Our ‘Hate Hurts’ national marketing campaign, supported by Police Scotland, aims to raise awareness of hate crime, and how to report it.
Report a hate crime
We encourage anyone who has experienced or witnessed a hate crime to report it.
You can report a hate crime:
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to the police (call 999 in emergencies, or 101 in non-emergencies) or use the hate crime reporting form
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through a third party reporting centre
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anonymously through Crimestoppers (0800 555 111 or through the Crimestoppers online reporting form)
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if deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired you can text 999 (emergency), contact BSL (British Sign Language), or text 18001 (non-emergency)