Policing of the Hate Crime Act

Members considered the report which provided an overview of Police Scotland Strategic response to the implementation of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021. DCCSpeirs highlighted a number of key points as detailed in the paper.

In discussion the following matters were raised:
• Regarding non crime hate incidents being recorded on the Vulnerable Persons Database, Members noted there was public concern that the other party (not the reporter) would appear on disclosure checks. Members queried whether this would happen. DCCSpeirs responded that it would not. Police Scotland Guidance states that it does not record other party details of non crime hate incidents within the Vulnerable Persons Database.
• DCCSpeirs informed Members that the benefits of recording non crime hate incidents was that it allowed Police Scotland to best support the complainer.
• DCCSpeirs confirmed that reporting of incidents had not reduced police response times and had not impacted frontline policing.
• Members sought comment on how the new legislation would be tested in courts and heard the Crown Office are keeping Police Scotland updated on cases being received and how they are being progressed.
• Members sought information on any partnership work in the preventative area. DCCSpeirs responded that the Policing Together portfolio included partnerships and prevention therefore there was a whole programme of activity to look at opportunities. Members heard that the outcome of this work would be reported to the Policing Together Oversight Group.

The Authority RESOLVED to:
• NOTE the report.