Statistics show drop in LGBT hate crime

Campaigners warn actual figure could be higher

The number of hate cr i mes aggravated by sexual orientation or t ransgender identity has dropped by more than a third in East Kilbride.

But campaigners warn the actual figure could be much higher with many hate crimes going unreported and, shockingly, at least one hate crime against LGBT people taking place in South Lanarkshire every week.

Figures obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to Police Scotland reveal that the number of hat e c r i mes a g g r avat e d by s e x ual orientation or transgender identity in East Kilbride dropped from 13 in 2017 to eight so far this year – a reduction of 38 per cent.

Meanwhile, between and 2015 and 2018 it more than halved from 17 to eight, with 12 in 2016.

S o f ar i n 2018, t he East Kil br i de Central North ward had the greatest number of hate crimes of this kind with four recorded and in 2017 it also topped the number in the town with eight.

Meanwhile, so f ar t his year, East Kilbride South and East Kilbride West had none while East Kilbride Central South and East Kilbride had two each.

In South Lanarkshire as a whole statistics showed that 48 hate crimes took place in 2015, 58 in 2016 and 57 in 2017, with 23 crimes having taken place so far this year.

Sophie Bridger of Stonewall Scotland said: “Many LGBT people still live in fear of physical or verbal violence just for being who they are, with one in five LGBT people in Scotland experiencing a hate crime or incident in the last year.

“Unfortunately significant barriers p re v e nt many L GBT p e o p l e f ro m reporting hate cr i me t o t he police, meaning that reported figures often don’t show the extent of the problem.

“Stonewall Scotland works closely with Police Scotland to ensure that LGBT people feel comfortable reporting abuse, and will keep tackling hate and prejudice until LGBT people are safe on every street.”

Kay McVeigh, head of personnel services at South Lanarkshire Council, said: “The council places great emphasis on supporting these i s s u e s , b o t h t h r o u g h p r o mo t i n g understanding and awareness to tr y to avoid hate crimes from occurring in the first place and through aiding those who may have the need to report such a crime.

“Two y o u t h g r o u p s , f a c i l i t a t e d t hrough Universal Connections i n East Kilbride and Hamilton and with programmes driven by the views of the members themselves, focus on issues faced by young LGBT people and provide a comfortable and safe environment to talk about their issues and meet with peers who face the same barriers as they do.

“The council also offers support to employees, including LGBT Matters, which is part of the Employee Network that gives employees a safe place to share and obtain information about supports available, while it also allows people tell us how best to meet their needs. Diversity liaison officers are also available to support employees and managers, and awarenessraising sessions are held.

“We a l s o work i n p a r t n e r s h i p a n d a re par t of a pan- Lanarks hi re LGBTI Development Group, which consists of agency and community representatives working within or working across North and South Lanarkshire with a positive and active interest in LGBTI issues.”