Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
‘No place’ in city for discrimination
COUNCIL leader John Alexander has said there is “no place” for discrimination in Dundee as new stats have revealed attacks based on race and sexuality are on the rise in the city.
Annual statistics released by the Crown Office show crimes motivated by sexual orientation hit a new record in Dundee, since it was made an aggravating factor in 2010.
There were 69 in the city last year, up 41% from 49 last year.
Offences across Scotland rose in the last year, with 5,219 reported in total, up from 4,686 in 2018-19.
The statistics show race crimes were also up across Dundee in the last year, despite falling in previous years.
Hate crimes aggravated by race are at levels not seen in a decade: 155 reported last year, the highest since the same number of crimes were recorded in 2010-11.
Mr Alexander said: “It’s a sad and disturbing picture that hate crimes, based upon the colour of someone’s skins, ethnic background or sexuality, are on the rise across Scotland.
“We’ve seen hate bubble to the surface of the cesspit more and more and while the individuals concerned represent a tiny minority, they can have a significant and detrimental impact on those on the receiving end.
“There’s no place for this kind of hatred in our city and every instance is one too many.”
A new Hate Crime Bill has been produced by the Scottish Government to tackle the issue.
Shona Robison, MSP for Dundee East, said: “Hate crime has hugely damaging effects on victims, their families and communities. We all must play our part to challenge it.
“The increase in reported charges may suggest victims have more confidence to speak out although I accept many incidents do go unreported and I urge anyone who has experienced hate crime to report it.
“The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill is part of the Scottish Government’s ambitious programme of work to tackle hate crime and sends a clear message – Scotland is a place where there is zero tolerance of hate crime.”