Hate crimes recorded by the police in Scotland, 2023-24

Executive Summary

The police recorded 6,227 hate crimes in 2023-24. This is less than 1% (or 30) lower than in 2022-23 and the lowest number since 2014-15.

No clear trend can be seen in the total number of hate crimes recorded by the police in Scotland over 2014-15 to 2023-24, with four of the years following 2014-15 showing an increase and the other five showing a decrease.

In 2023-24, the number of hate crimes recorded by Police Scotland per 10,000 population was highest in Clackmannanshire and Glasgow City local authority areas (23 and 22 crimes per 10,000 population respectively). The Na h-Eileanan Siar and Orkney Islands local authority areas had the lowest rates.

In 2023-24, over three-fifths (63%) of hate crimes included a race aggravator. Just under a quarter (24%) included a sexual orientation aggravator, and around one in ten (10%) had a disability aggravator. Hate crimes with a religion aggravator made up 7% of all recorded, whilst those with a transgender identity aggravator made up 3%.

In 2023-24, a majority (56%) of hate crimes recorded were ‘Threatening or abusive behaviour’ under Section 38 of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010. This was followed by ‘Communications Act 2003 offences’ which represented 10% of hate crime recorded and ‘Common Assault’ (also 10%).

In 2023-24, the most common hate crime recorded across each of the different aggravators was ‘Threatening or abusive behaviour’. With the exception of race, this crime made up more than 50% of all crimes recorded for each aggravator.