Central Scotland: Police to target hate crimes
An initiative to cut all types of hate crime has been launched.
The plan is designed to help people who are victims of intimidation, harassment or physical assault because of their race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity.
Emergency services, local authorities, health services, prosecutors, victims' representatives, further and higher educational establishments and the Equality Council will work together as part of the Multi-Agency Hate Response Strategy (MAHRS) in the Central Scotland Police area.
It aims to make communities safer by promoting better understanding and recording of hate incidents, identifying any trends and caring for victims of hate crime.
The partnership will focus on five strands of diversity - race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity - which can all be the subject of hate crime.
Assistant Chief Constable Gordon Samson, of Central Scotland Police, who chairs the MAHRS steering group, said: "There is a long history in Central Scotland of partners and communities working well together to address the issue of crime motivated by intolerance, prejudice and hatred.
"Those who think it is acceptable to commit a criminal act against another individual because of homophobia, transphobia, religious bigotry, racism or disability related prejudice need to realise that this behaviour has no place within our communities.
"Anyone who believes they have been a victim of an incident motivated by hate can have confidence in reporting it to the authorities and of receiving a professional service.
"The welfare of any victim is treated with a high priority and the joint approach ensures the right level of response is given to this very serious issue. This strategy underpins and strengthens our approach."
