Observer helps police tackle hate crimes
Readers of the Stirling Observer will be aware that in recent weeks appeals have been published in relation to several incidents that we class as `hate crimes’. Some may be unfamiliar with this class of crime but it involves any criminal offence motivated by malice and ill will towards a social group.
Hate crime can be motived by disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or faith. Hate crime has no place in Scotland, especially Stirling and I ensure that all crimes are robustly investigated to bring the perpetrators of such crimes to justice. Our current detection rate for hate crime sits at 86 per cent so there is a very good chance that those who commit such crimes will be caught.
Since April 1 this year there have been 21 hate crimes committed in the Stirling area. Given the nature of the crime I have no doubt that hate crime continues to go unreported. However, we work with partners to continue building trust so victims can feel confident in reporting such incidents.
The Observer has helped us detect such crimes in the past. In November 2014 we put an appeal in the Observer which included CCTV images following a hate crime that occurred in July at Murray Place, Stirling, near to the taxi rank.
Following this appeal we identified and apprehended the suspect. Prior to releasing such images we have to gain the consent of the procurator fiscal and explore other investigative avenues prior to considering the release of the images. The help of the Observer, the public and our perseverance to have this matter resolved led to this crime being detected.
We are currently investigating a hate crime that occurred at the shop premises known as Sunny Express in Friars Street, Stirling, around 10.30pm on Friday, June 5. The culprit assaulted and then verbally abused the shop worker for refusing to sell him alcohol despite it being explained that it was after licensed hours.
The shop keeper was merely complying with the law, however was thereafter subjected to a physical assault and then a torrent of racial verbal abuse. Unfortunately workers within these premises have been subject of such crimes before.
The suspect is described as male, white, about 25 years old with a stocky build. He was about 5ft 6in tall with short fair hair wearing a light blue hooded top and light coloured jeans and dark trainers.
If you have any information about this crime please call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Observer readers will be interested to know that next week marks the 100-year anniversary of women in policing. To celebrate and mark this centenary Constable Ailsa Brough will contribute next week’s article to the Observer.