Sectarian crime figures up following Act

Religious aggravation law leads to increase in court cases

News, 11 November 2005

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The number of sectarian crimes in Scotland has risen significantly since legislation was introduced to counter religiously aggravated offences.

A total of 480 cases were reported by the police in 2004-05 - with 423 proceeded against - compared to 271 reports and 238 court cases in 2003-04. From April until October 2005, there were 415 cases reported and 370 legal proceedings taken.

Legislation tackling sectarianism was introduced in 2003. It provides that if it can be proved that an offence was aggravated by religious prejudice, a harsher penalty will be imposed on the offender.

Donald Gorrie, the Liberal Democrat MSP who originally called for the legislation to be brought in, said the figures did not necessarily mean that sectarian crimes had gone up, just that the legislation meant that the police were better prepared.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Executive said that while the increase in prosecutions was a disappointment, it was a signal that the police were determined to take positive action to deal with sectarianism.

Wednesday night's Old Firm clash at Celtic Park led to 26 arrests of people charged with alleged sectarian behaviour. Both football clubs said they would take appropriate action against any of their fans convicted of sectarian abuse.

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