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Publication - Research and analysis

Ethnicity in the Justice System

Published
5 April 2023
From
Director-General Education and Justice
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
ISBN
9781805256861

This paper presents a review of quantitative evidence relating to ethnicity in the justice system in Scotland.

View supporting documents Supporting documents

Appendix C: Additional data tables

Chapter 2: Perceptions of crime, safety, the police and the justice system

Perception of prevalence of specific crimes in local area

Table A2.1: Proportion of people who think the following types of crime are fairly or very common in their local area
National Average White Scottish/ White Other British White Minority Ethnic Asian African, Caribbean or Black Other
People having their car or other vehicles stolen 12% 12% 7%* 13% 8% 6%
People having things stolen from their car or other vehicles 18% 18% 14%* 15% 13% 8%*
People being mugged or robbed 10% 10% 8% 11% 7% 15%
People being physically assaulted or attacked in the street or other public places 18% 18% 14%* 15% 18% 12%
People being physically attacked because of their skin colour etc 7% 7% 9% 13%* 13% 14%
People being sexually assaulted 4% 4% 6%* 5% 2% 4%
Drug dealing and drug abuse 45% 46% 34%* 27%* 42% 31%*
People behaving in an anti-social manner in public 41% 42% 39% 34%* 41% 31%
Violence between groups of individuals or gangs 21% 21% 15%* 18% 16% 14%
Base 22, 718 21,054 1,002 374 137 69
People carrying knives 17% 18% 13%* 13% 18% 9%*
Base 18,691 17,258 862 317 114 64
Deliberate damage to cars or other vehicles 21% 21% 18% 21% 10%* 13%
Deliberate damage to people's homes by vandals 11% 11% 11% 15% 15% 20%
Base 11,473 10,428 635 224 79 58
People buying or selling smuggled or fake goods 13% 13% 8%* 13% - -
Base 5,610 5,039 338 119 42 44

Where results are statistically significant compared to the national average this is marked by an asterisk *

‘-‘ indicates that the base number is too low to report on (below 50)

The mixed or multiple group is not reported in the table as the base is below 50.

Fear of crime

Table A2.2: Proportion of people who are fairly or very worried that:
National Average White Scottish/ White Other British White minority ethnic Mixed or Multiple Asian African, Caribbean, or Black Other
Your home will be damaged by vandals 22% 22% 20%* 25% 31%* 32%* 22%
Your home will be broken into 33% 33% 28%* 39% 42%* 35% 30%
You will be mugged or robbed 27% 27% 24%* 32% 39%* 41%* 30%
You will be physically assaulted or attacked in the street or other public place 26% 26% 25% 26% 37%* 43%* 29%
You will be involved or caught up in violence between groups of individuals or gangs 22% 22% 21%* 25% 31%* 33%* 27%
You will be sexually assaulted 14% 13% 14% 18% 21%* 24%* 17%
You will have your identity stolen 47% 47%* 37%* 49% 45% 44% 34%*
Someone will use your credit or bank details to obtain money, goods or services 55% 55% 48%* 58% 55% 53% 53%
Base 90,713 84,365 3,790 145 1,496 500 295
Your car or other vehicle will be stolen 20% 19% 19% - 34%* 27% 38%*
Things will be stolen from your car or other vehicle 21% 21% 20% - 40%* 38%* 32%*
Your car or other vehicle will be damaged by vandals 29% 29% 28% - 47%* 42%* 43%*
Base 17,643 16,004 980 47 366 110 110

Where results are statistically significant compared to the national average this is marked by an asterisk *

Table A2.3: Proportion of people who think it is likely that they will be a victim of the following crimes in the next 12 months
National Average White Scottish/ White Other British White Minority Ethnic Mixed or Multiple Asian African, Caribbean or Black Other
Your car or other vehicle will be stolen 5% 5% 3%* 4% 4% 5% 5%
Things will be stolen from your car or other vehicle 5% 5% 5% 6% 7% 6% 7%
Your car or other vehicle will be damaged by vandals 11% 11% 10%* 16% 13% 12% 9%
Your home will be damaged by vandals 5% 5% 5% 7% 6% 6% 4%
Your home will be broken into 8% 8% 7% 8% 11%* 10% 8%
You will be mugged or robbed 5% 5% 5% 9% 8%* 7% 5%
You will be physically assaulted or attacked in the street or other public place 6% 6% 7% 13%* 8%* 12%* 8%
You will be involved or caught up in violence between groups of individuals or gangs 5% 5% 4% 4% 4% 8% 5%
You will be sexually assaulted 1% 1% 2%* 3% 2%* 2% 1%
You will have your identity stolen 12% 12% 9%* 13% 10% 9% 12%
Someone will use your credit or bank details to obtain money, goods or services 17% 17% 16% 22% 17% 16% 21%
Base 90,713 84,365 3,790 145 1,496 500 295

Where results are statistically significant compared to the national average this is marked by an asterisk *

Perception of local community and the collective effort to prevent crime in their neighbourhood

Table A2.4: Community cohesion: Proportion of people who agree that:
National Average White Scottish/ White Other British White Minority Ethnic Mixed or Multiple Asian African, Caribbean or Black Other
People in my local area cannot be trusted 12% 12% 12% 9% 17%* 11% 14%
If my home was empty, I could count on one of my neighbours or other people in this area to keep an eye on it 88% 90%* 72%* 73%* 69%* 69%* 75%*
The people who live in my local area can be relied upon to call the police if someone is acting suspiciously 82% 82%* 71%* 75% 74%* 73%* 73%
I have neighbours or other people in my local area I feel I could turn to for advice or support 81% 82%* 68%* 63%* 68%* 66%* 63%*
People in this local area pull together to prevent crime 57% 58%* 43%* 55% 47%* 38%* 58%
Base 40,519 38,202 1,496 68 592 193 92

Where results are statistically significant compared to the national average this is marked by an asterisk *

Willingness to aid a victim of crime

Table A2.5: Imagine that you were out and saw someone push a man to the ground and steal his wallet. Proportion who are quite or very willing /likely to do the following:
National Average White Scottish/ White Other British White Minority Ethnic Asian
How likely would you be to call the police? 94% 95% 95% 89%
How willing would you be to identify the person who had done it? 91% 91% 94%* 81%*
How willing would you be to give evidence in court against the accused? 84% 84% 87% 76%
Base 4,221 3,786 261 85

Where results are statistically significant compared to the national average this is marked by an asterisk *

The mixed or multiple, African, Caribbean or Black and Other groups are not reported in the table as the base is below 50 for these groups.

Table A2.6: Proportion of respondents who are fairly or very confident in the ability of police in the local area to:
National Average White Scottish/ White Other British White Minority Ethnic Mixed or Multiple Asian African, Caribbean, or Black Other
Prevent crime 51% 50%* 58%* 58% 64%* 67%* 59%*
Respond quickly to appropriate calls and information from the public 60% 60%* 71%* 71%* 70%* 74%* 70%*
Deal with incidents as they occur 63% 63%* 70%* 68% 71%* 74%* 73%*
Investigate incidents after they occur 69% 69% 70% 78%* 69% 72% 71%
Solve crimes 61% 61% 65%* 62% 64% 69%* 68%*
Catch criminals 59% 58% 62%* 64% 63%* 66%* 70%*
Base 90,713 84,365 3,790 145 1,496 500 295

Where results are statistically significant compared to the national average this is marked by an asterisk *

Table A2.7: Proportion of respondents who tend to agree or strongly agree that:
National Average White Scottish/ White Other British White Minority Ethnic Mixed or Multiple Asian African, Caribbean, or Black Other
Police in this area can be relied on to be there when you need them 64% 63%* 71%* 71% 76%* 70%* 77%*
Police in this area would treat you with respect if you had contact with them for any reason 86% 86% 86% 81% 85% 82% 88%
The police in this area treat everyone fairly regardless of who they are 61% 60% 64%* 57% 70%* 61% 69%*
Police in this area are not dealing with the things that matter to people in this community 24% 25%* 15%* 20% 20%* 21% 18%*
The police in this area listen to the concerns of local people 51% 51% 50% 52% 57%* 57% 58%
Community relations with the police in this local area are poor 23% 24% 15%* 23% 21% 24% 13%*
Overall, people have a lot of confidence in the police in this area 46% 45% 47% 44% 57%* 47% 59%*
Base 51,406 47,084 2,582 99 975 349 245

Where results are statistically significant compared to the national average this is marked by an asterisk *

Table A2.8: Proportion of respondents who are fairly or very confident that the Scottish criminal justice system as a whole:
National Average White Scottish/ White Other British White Minority Ethnic Mixed or Multiple Asian African, Caribbean or Black Other
Is effective in bringing people who commit crimes to justice 57% 57% 61% * 62% 65% * 59% 62%
Deals with cases promptly and efficiently 42% 41% * 48% * 55% * 55% * 55% * 52% *
Makes sure everyone has access to the justice system if they need it 74% 74% 71% * 78% 74% 70% 74%
Makes sure the system isn't different depending on where you live in Scotland 61% 61% 59% 70% * 65% * 59% 66%
Base 74,710 69,215 3,282 129 1,265 440 270
Makes fair, impartial decisions based on the evidence available 71% 71% 69% 82% * 72% 71% 74%
Adequately takes into account the circumstances surrounding a crime when it hands out sentences 57% 57% 61% * 65% 63%* 58% 58%
Allows all victims of crime to seek justice regardless of who they are 67% 67% 67% 75% 69% 70% 72%
Allows all those accused of crimes to get a fair trial regardless of who they are 77% 78% 73% * 80% 74% * 72% 74%
Provides victims of crime with the services and support they need 54% 53% 57% * 69% * 65% * 59% 58%
Provides witnesses with the services and support they need 56% 56% 58% 68% * 63% * 55% 63%
Treats those accused of crime as innocent until proven guilty 73% 73% 70% * 75% 69% * 67% 69%
Base 45,664 41,621 2,421 91 897 326 236
Gives sentences which fit the crime 37% 34% * 53% * - 53% * 45% 45%
Base 16,580 14,900 994 44 364 126 124

Where results are statistically significant compared to the national average this is marked by an asterisk *

‘-‘ indicates that the base number is too low to report on (below 50)

Attitudes to prisons

Table A2.9: Prisons: Proportion of people who agree that:
National Average White Scottish/ White Other British White Minority Ethnic Asian
Only those who have committed the most serious crimes should be put in prison 51% 50% 59%* 58%
Prisons should help prisoners change their behaviour rather than just punish them 90% 91% 91% 86%
Prisons should provide support in order to prevent people committing more crime 93% 93% 90% 86%
Prisons should work with other organisations in the community to help prisoners fit back into the community 90% 89% 92% 84%
Homeless prisoners should be helped to find a place to live after they leave prison 88% 89% 87% 81%
Base 4,152 3,715 264 93

Where results are statistically significant compared to the national average this is marked by an asterisk *

The mixed or multiple, African, Caribbean or Black and Other groups are not reported in the table as the base is below 50 for these groups.

Attitudes to Community sentencing

Table A2.10: Community Sentencing: Proportion of people who agree that:
National Average White Scottish/ White Other British White Minority Ethnic Asian
People should help their community as part of a community sentence rather than spend a few months in prison for a minor offence 90% 91% 89% 70%*
People serving community sentences should be given support such as help with addiction or mental health problems, or numeracy or literacy difficulties, to reduce the likelihood of them committing more crime in the future 90% 91% 89% 77%*
People who serve community sentences put the public at risk of crime 23% 23% 22% 24%
Base 4,152 3,715 264 93
People who fail to comply with their community sentence will still be held to account by the Justice System 55% 54% 63% 46%
Base 1,997 1,747 146 58

Where results are statistically significant compared to the national average this is marked by an asterisk *

The Mixed or multiple, African, Caribbean or Black and Other groups are not reported in the table as the base is below 50 for these groups.

Chapter 3 Experience of crime

Experience of crime

Table A3.1: Percentage of people that were the victim of one or more crime in the 12 months prior to the interview taking place:
National Average White Scottish/ White Other British White Minority Ethnic Mixed or Multiple Asian African, Caribbean, or Black Other
Victim of crime 17% 17% 18% 31% 17% 23%* 12%*
Victim of violent (inc attempted assault) crime 3% 3% 3% 5% 3% 4% 2%
Victim of property crime 15% 15% 16% 27%* 15% 21%* 11%*
Base 90,713 84,365 3,790 145 1,496 500 295

Where results are statistically significant compared to the national average this is marked by an asterisk *

Experience of civil law problems

Table A3.2: Proportion of people who have experienced the following problems or disputes in the last three years
National Average White Scottish/ White Other British White Minority Ethnic Asian African, Caribbean, or Black Other
Neighbours 11% 11% 10% 7%* 9% 19%
Housing 3% 3% 4% 3% 10%* 4%
Immigration 0% 0%* 2%* 3%* 8%* 10%*
Base 35,762 33,360 1,423 580 203 106
Child contact, residence or maintenance 1% 2% 1% 0%* 1% 0%*
Divorce, separation 1% 1% 0%* 1% 2% 0%*
Education of your children 1% 1% 1% 1% 2% 3%
Behaviour of a partner, ex-partner or other person who is harassing you 2% 2% 2% 0%* 4% 0%*
Base 17,269 15,818 860 323 136 79
None of these 81% 81% 81% 80% - -
Base 5498 4982 302 111 41 37

Where results are statistically significant compared to the national average this is marked by an asterisk *

The mixed or multiple group is not reported in the table as the base is below 50.

Chapter 5 Workforce

Table A 5.1: Workforce composition of Justice organisations by ethnicity
Organisation White Minority Ethnic (excluding white minority) Other Not known/ choose not to say
Police Scotland – Police Officers [55] White Scottish Other White British White Minority Ethnic 1% N/A Not recorded Choose not to disclose
79% 8% 2% 2% 7%
Police Scotland – Police Staff 85% 7% 1% 2% N/A 4% 1%
Scottish Police Authority (SPA) [56] 76% 15% 2% 2% N/A 5%
Scottish Prison Service (SPS) [57] 38% Less than 0.5% N/A 52.8% 9.2%
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) [58] (excluding volunteers) 59.3% 1.4% N/A 39.3%
Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) [59] 93.3% 3.2% 0.4% 3.1%
Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) [60] White White – English/ Welsh/Scottish / N. Irish 0.5% 80%
10% 9%
Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) [61] White, Scottish, British Irish White Minority Ethnic Less than 5% N/A 5-10%
85-90% Less than 5%
Law Society of Scotland [62] White, Scottish, British White Minority Ethnic 3.4% 1.5% 7.1%
86.5% 1.5%

Contact

Email: Justice_Analysts@gov.scot

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