Offences against LGBT community at record levels in Dundee, according to new figures

Homophobic hate crime has reached its highest level on record in Dundee, official figures show.

Annual statistics released by the Crown Office show crimes motivated by sexual orientation hit a new record – 69, up 41% from 49 last year – since it was made an aggravating factor in 2010.

Offences across Scotland rose in the last year, with a total of 5,219 reported in total, up from 4,686 in 2018-19.

A total of 45 homophobic hate crimes were reported by the Kirkcaldy procurator fiscal office in the last year, down 6% from 48 in 2018-19.

The statistics show race crimes also rose in Dundee in the last year, despite falling in recent years – 155 were reported last year, the highest since the same number of crimes were recorded in 2010-11.

The Crown Office’s annual Hate Crime in Scotland report was released last month, bringing together figures for all types of prejudice-related crime.

It shows hate crime is on the rise in Scotland as prosecutors reveal a spike in prejudice related to racism, religion, disability and sexual orientation.

The report showed racism is still the most commonly reported hate crime with 3,038 charges brought in the last year alone – a rise of 4% compared to 2018-19.

However, the Crown Office said it is still the second lowest figure since consistent figures became available in 2003-04 and is 33% lower than the peak in such charges in 2011-12, when 4,547 charges were reported.

Crime related to sexual orientation was the second most common, with a 24% rise to 1,486.

There were 41 charges reported in 2019-20 with an aggravation of transgender identity, up one from 201819.

Religiously aggravated crimes resulted in 660 charges, a 24% increase from the previous year, while the number of disability aggravated charges rose by 29% to 387.

Dundee City East MSP Shona Robison said the new Hate Crime Bill forms part of the Scottish Government’s “ambitious programme” of work to tackle hate crime.

She added: “Hate crime has hugely damaging effects on victims, their families and communities. We all must play our part to challenge it.”

Chief Superintendent David Duncan of the Safer Communities Division said: “We are aware hate crime is often under reported, however Police Scotland is fully committed to reviewing and investigating all reports of hate.”