Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Feb 18, 2025

Hate crime law could damage trust in police - chief

Chief Police Superintendent Rob Hay has expressed concerns that the new hate crime laws in Scotland, which become effective on Monday, may undermine public trust in the police.
Hay, from the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents, warned that individuals might be upset if they're reported under the new law and their information is recorded without a crime being committed. He highlighted the lack of additional resources for the police to handle these cases.

The Scottish government has introduced the Hate and Public Order (Scotland) Act, aiming to prosecute threatening or abusive actions intended to incite hatred based on characteristics like age, disability, and gender identity.

This law adds to an existing race-based hate crime law from 1986. Despite concerns, the government ensures that the law includes protections for free speech and that police have received thorough training for its enforcement.

Police Scotland has committed to investigating complaints without proactively searching for violations. However, they will record details even when actions do not meet the criminal threshold, which has raised concerns about public trust.

Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser recently critiqued the police for logging a non-criminal hate incident based on his social media comments, highlighting tensions regarding the law's application.

Amidst worries about targeting performers with the new law, Chief Superintendent Hay clarified that the police would not actively pursue artists and that their focus would be on responding to public reports.

Police Scotland's Chief Constable Jo Farrell emphasized that the force is familiar with implementing new laws and that officers are trained to apply legislation judiciously, balancing it with human rights.

The Scottish government reassured that the law sets a high bar for hate crime offenses and that ongoing collaboration with Police Scotland includes comprehensive training and guidance for effective law enforcement.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Starmer Calls for US 'Backstop' for Ukraine Peace Deal After European Leaders' Meeting
Scotland Initiates Early Release of Prisoners to Address Overcrowding
The Princess of Wales and Children Share Artistic Portraits
Policy on Refugee Citizenship Draws Criticism from Unions and Faith Leaders
Fibrus Broadband Service Faces Ongoing Challenges After Storm Éowyn
Caldicot School Enforces Strict Discipline Under New Leadership
Supreme Court Blocks Treasury Intervention in Car Loans Case
Bafta 2025: Conclave and The Brutalist Stand Out at the Awards Ceremony
Almost Two Billion Dollars of taxpayer funds are recovered by the DOGE Task Force after going unaccounted for during the Biden administration.
No, you corrupt European leaders—the Nazi genocide apparatus did NOT come about due to free speech.
U.S. State Department Removes Taiwan Independence Statement from Website
Eliminating opposition will not rescue Germany from Nazism—this is precisely what led Germany to become Nazi!
Transatlantic Gold Rush: Traders Shift Bullion in Response to Tariff Concerns and Market Turmoil
Elon Musk advocates for thorough and regular audits of US gold reserves as new proposals confront long-standing review methods.
Bill Ackman Invests in Uber as the Company Shifts Towards Profitability.
AI Giants Take on Nvidia's Supremacy with New Chip Innovations
US and Russian Officials to Meet in Saudi Arabia Over Ending Ukraine Conflict. Ukraine and European leaders – who profit from this war – excluded from the negotiations.
Macron Convenes Urgent Summit as Business Model Amid Ukraine Conflict Faces Threat
Trump Administration Eases AI Restrictions Amid Scarlett Johansson’s Regulatory Demands
Trump’s Defense Secretary: Ukraine Won’t Join NATO or Regain Lost Territories
European Leaders Hold Urgent Summit on Ukraine in Light of US-Russia Peace Negotiations
Flight Reductions at Ronaldsway Airport Attributed to Demand Changes
JD Vance's Claims on Scottish Abortion Buffer Zones Elicit Controversy
Dogs Audition for Role in Glasgow Comedy Play Amidst Festival Celebrations
Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves Faces Scrutiny Over Expenses and CV Claims
Investigation Launched Following Fatal Shooting Outside Kent Pub
UK Ticket-Holder Wins £65 Million EuroMillions Jackpot on Valentine's Day
UK Military Insufficiently Resourced for Potential Ukraine Peacekeeping Mission, Former Army Chief Warns
Netflix Relocates Bafta Afterparty Following Fire at Chiltern Firehouse
Scottish A&E Waiting Times Reach Record Highs, Urging Call for Systemic Reforms
British Couple Detained in Iran as Family Seeks Safe Return
Zelensky Urges Increased Military Expansion in Europe as US Support Remains Uncertain
AI-Driven Virtual Boyfriends Rise in Popularity in China
Chinese Zoo Confesses to Painting Donkeys to Look Like Zebras
Zelensky Highlights the Importance of European Participation in Peace Negotiations at the Munich Security Conference.
Zelensky Prevents Trump-Backed Minerals Agreement Due to Security Issues
Trump's Legal Issues and Claim of Executive Power
Leaders of BRICS Set to Gather in Rio de Janeiro for July Summit
The Archewell Foundation Donates $600,000 to Support Democratic Initiatives Amidst Political Disputes.
U.S. Administration Begins Dialogue with Russia and Ukraine to Tackle Ongoing Conflict
Muhsin Hendricks, a trailblazing openly gay imam, was fatally shot in South Africa.
Elon Musk is Sherlock Holmes - Movie Trailer Parody featuring Donald Trump's Detective
Trump's Greenland Suggestion Sparks Sovereignty Discussion Amidst Historical Resentments
California's CalExit Movement Gathers Momentum Amid Ongoing Political and Economic Discussions in the State.
USAID Revealed: American Tax Dollars Utilized to Erode Democracy in Europe Until Trump Put a Stop to It
Pam Bondi Leaves Congress in Utter Shock with a Stunning Rebuttal of Adam Schiff.
Trump's Press Secretary SLAMS Republican Mitch McConnell for Opposing Tulsi Gabbard.
Brand Finance Unveils its Rankings of the Best CEOs for 2025: Satya Nadella Takes the Lead
Steering Through the Updated Chain of Command at the European Commission
Parliamentarian Advocates for Preservation of AI Liability Directive
×