Hate crimes recorded by the police in Scotland, 2022-23

Geographic location of hate crimes (Table 1, 2)

In 2022-23, the number of hate crimes recorded by Police Scotland per 10,000 of the population was highest in Glasgow City and the City of Edinburgh local authority areas (25 and 18 crimes per 10,000 population respectively)[2] (Table 2). The Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands local authority areas had the lowest rates.

Whilst the Glasgow City and City of Edinburgh local authority areas collectively accounted for 21% of Scotland’s population in 2022, the latest available data, they accounted for two-fifths (40%) of all hate crimes recorded by Police Scotland in 2022-23. This could, at least in part, relate to the relatively higher level of ethnic diversity present within these two areas (the majority (60%) of associated hate crimes included a race aggravation – see Table 3). The 2011 Scottish Census reported that Glasgow City and the City of Edinburgh local authority areas have 12% and 8%, respectively, of their population comprised of non-white ethnic groups, compared to the Scottish average of 4%. Other factors that may lead to the relatively higher number of recorded hate crimes within these two local authorities include the presence of a large night-time economy, and a large daily influx of visitors, workers and tourists. They are also more frequently used as the location for large scale events and the holding of demonstrations.