Everyone has the right to feel safe in their community

Police Scotland Chief Constable Phil Gormley has pledged to do everything they can to tackle disability hate crime.

He was speaking on Friday alongside Solicitor General Alison Di Rollo QC and charity I Am Me at an event to raise awareness of the issue.

An I Am Me Cinebus’a coach that has been transformed into a mobile cinema, has been launched.

And it will be used to visit schools and communities across the country to raise awareness and educate groups of all ages on disability hate crime.

In addition, the Keep Safe initiative, which works with local businesses to create Keep Safe places for disabled, vulnerable and elderly people when out in the community, has now been rolled out nationally.

People can access the Keep Safe premises to seek assistance and help if they feel lost, confused, scared, in danger or have been a victim of crime.

A Keep Safe app is now available which enables users to find their nearest‘Keep Safe’place and map a journey identifying any Keep Safe places’that can be used on route.

It can also be used to contact police or make an online hate crime report via a link to the Police Scotland website.

Mr Gormley acknowledged the impact disability hate crime can have on individuals, their families and wider communities.

He added: “We have identified officers throughout the force area who will work closely with partners and communities to support the local delivery of this initiative.

“Police Scotland recognises that disability hate crime can often go unreported and this may be due to a number of reasons.

“I would however like to reassure our communities that we take all forms of hate crime seriously and would urge anyone who has been the victim or witness to any hate crime to come forward and report it with confidence.”

Ms Di Rollo welcomed the initiative and said:“Everyone has the right to feel safe in their community, free from the fear of abuse or intimidation.

“We will not tolerate the actions of those who seek to target vulnerable members of Scotland’s communities.