Offending that goes beyond hate crime

MSPs are to consider classifying offences committed against elderly people as “hate crimes”. The suggestion was made by Lord Bracadale in an over-arching review of such criminal activity.

Should politicians deem it so, abusing elderly people will attract the same status of “aggravation” as attacks based on race, religion, disability, sexual orientation and transgender identity.

A crime committed against someone of advanced years always seems so much worse and there is little question the public would support harsher penalties.

However, it is arguable whether criminals target elderly people because of hatred, rather than naked opportunism.

Their vulnerability is what makes them attractive to thieves and bullies, rather than a particular malice towards older generations.

To brand such incidents as “hate crimes” threatens to dilute the meaning of the term as it relates to other portions of society.

Rather, it may be better to create a specific and unambiguous category of crime when committed against those who are older and relatively defenceless.

And in doing so, devise and impose suitably harsh punishments which reflect the abhorrence society feels when they are committed.

No other community more deserves additional protection that new lawmaking could create.