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Most Scottish religious hate crimes target Catholics | Most Scottish religious hate crimes target Catholics |
(40 minutes later) | |
The number of religious hate crimes recorded in Scotland rose by 10% in the past year - with the majority targeted at Roman Catholics. | The number of religious hate crimes recorded in Scotland rose by 10% in the past year - with the majority targeted at Roman Catholics. |
New figures from the Scottish government show there were 693 charges aggravated by religious prejudice in 2010/2011 - the highest in four years. | New figures from the Scottish government show there were 693 charges aggravated by religious prejudice in 2010/2011 - the highest in four years. |
The data shows 58% of these were against Catholics with 37% of recorded crimes against Protestants. | The data shows 58% of these were against Catholics with 37% of recorded crimes against Protestants. |
Some 2.3% related to Judaism and 2.1% related to Islam. | Some 2.3% related to Judaism and 2.1% related to Islam. |
The figures show there were recorded religious hate crimes in 27 out of Scotland's 32 local authority areas with the majority - 79% - taking place in the Strathclyde police force area. | The figures show there were recorded religious hate crimes in 27 out of Scotland's 32 local authority areas with the majority - 79% - taking place in the Strathclyde police force area. |
'Shameful reality' | 'Shameful reality' |
A third of the charges related directly to football, while fewer than 5% related to marches and parades. | A third of the charges related directly to football, while fewer than 5% related to marches and parades. |
In just over 60% of cases, the accused had consumed alcohol prior to the offence. | In just over 60% of cases, the accused had consumed alcohol prior to the offence. |
Police officers were the most common victims of religious hate crime, accounting for 42% of the incidents. | |
These often referred to incidents where someone had been arrested and subsequently abused a police officer in religiously offensive terms. | |
The general community was targeted in almost a third of the cases and members of the public in just over a fifth of the cases. | |
Workers, such as hospital staff, security staff and taxi drivers, were targeted in just over 10% of charges. | |
Community Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham said: "These statistics show the shameful reality of religious hate crime in Scotland. | Community Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham said: "These statistics show the shameful reality of religious hate crime in Scotland. |
"Like racism, this kind of behaviour simply shouldn't be happening in a modern Scotland but sadly, it seems there are still those who think hatred on the basis of religion is acceptable. | "Like racism, this kind of behaviour simply shouldn't be happening in a modern Scotland but sadly, it seems there are still those who think hatred on the basis of religion is acceptable. |
Attitude change | |
"We need a wholesale change of attitudes, and this new report provides a valuable insight into the nature and scale of religious hate crime across Scotland." | "We need a wholesale change of attitudes, and this new report provides a valuable insight into the nature and scale of religious hate crime across Scotland." |
Ms Cunningham said the figures showed there was a "disproportionate number" of crimes related to football and this underlined the need for the Offensive Behaviour at Football Bill currently going through Holyrood. | Ms Cunningham said the figures showed there was a "disproportionate number" of crimes related to football and this underlined the need for the Offensive Behaviour at Football Bill currently going through Holyrood. |
"We must deal with sectarianism in the same way as with racism, and drink-driving," she added. | "We must deal with sectarianism in the same way as with racism, and drink-driving," she added. |
"This bill will not be the conclusive answer or the only solution, but it is the beginning of the end. | "This bill will not be the conclusive answer or the only solution, but it is the beginning of the end. |
"You can either do nothing and allow the status quo which allows the mindless bigot to thrive or we can take the strong action needed now and send out a message loud and clear that this behaviour is not going to be tolerated any longer." | "You can either do nothing and allow the status quo which allows the mindless bigot to thrive or we can take the strong action needed now and send out a message loud and clear that this behaviour is not going to be tolerated any longer." |
The data relates to charges under Section 74 of the Criminal Justice Scotland Act 2003. It was published following a pledge from First Minister Alex Salmond. | The data relates to charges under Section 74 of the Criminal Justice Scotland Act 2003. It was published following a pledge from First Minister Alex Salmond. |
The legislation defines a religiously aggravated offence as an incident where the offender evinces towards the victim "malice and ill-will based on the victim's membership (or perceived membership) of a religious group or a social or cultural group with a perceived religious affiliation", or, the offence is motivated by the same. | The legislation defines a religiously aggravated offence as an incident where the offender evinces towards the victim "malice and ill-will based on the victim's membership (or perceived membership) of a religious group or a social or cultural group with a perceived religious affiliation", or, the offence is motivated by the same. |
The Catholic Church said the figures were evidence of "entrenched hostility" against the faith in Scotland. | The Catholic Church said the figures were evidence of "entrenched hostility" against the faith in Scotland. |
Bishop Philip Tartaglia, president of the communications commission of the Bishops conference of Scotland, said: "Catholics will take little comfort from the fact that they were previously five times more likely to suffer a sectarian attack than anyone else and are now 4.5 times more likely. | Bishop Philip Tartaglia, president of the communications commission of the Bishops conference of Scotland, said: "Catholics will take little comfort from the fact that they were previously five times more likely to suffer a sectarian attack than anyone else and are now 4.5 times more likely. |
'Entrenched hostility' | |
"Since Catholics represent just 16% of Scotland's population, the fact that they account for almost 60% of the victims of sectarian crime reflects poorly on modern Scotland and is an indicator of entrenched hostility on a worrying scale." | "Since Catholics represent just 16% of Scotland's population, the fact that they account for almost 60% of the victims of sectarian crime reflects poorly on modern Scotland and is an indicator of entrenched hostility on a worrying scale." |
Bishop Tartaglia said the figures would make a "useful contribution to the sectarianism debate" but highlighted that it had "taken five years and repeated requests" from the Catholic Church to access them. | Bishop Tartaglia said the figures would make a "useful contribution to the sectarianism debate" but highlighted that it had "taken five years and repeated requests" from the Catholic Church to access them. |
He said that, "in the intervening period, hundreds of Crown office documents have been destroyed, preventing a more complete and balanced analysis". | He said that, "in the intervening period, hundreds of Crown office documents have been destroyed, preventing a more complete and balanced analysis". |
The anti-sectarianism charity Nil By Mouth said there was a need for a nationwide debate on how to tackle the problem. | |
Campaign director Dave Scott said: "It's particularly worrying that 60% of those convicted are under 30. We cannot lose another generation to the battles of the past. | |
"With convictions secured in 27 out of 32 local authority areas its clear we need a real nationwide debate on how we tackle sectarianism and it's root causes. | |
"It goes beyond our football terraces and into our workplaces, communities, institutions and home and we call on our government, parliament and civic society to help us create a nationwide action plan to rid our country of this shame forever." |