English post-Brexit race crime increase not replicated in Scotland say police

The news comes as forces in England confirmed a 57 per cent increase in reported crimes of a racial nature in the week following the vote to leave the European Union.

Chief Superintendent Barry McEwan of Police Scotland’s Safer Communities department said:

“Police Scotland takes all forms of hate crime extremely seriously.

“At this time we have not witnessed any increase in the level of reports being received.”

While south of the border, there have been a spike in the number of EU nationals and ethnic minorities being verbally abused and instances of racially motivated graffiti and vandalism, no such increase has taken place in Scotland.

However CS McEwan acknowledged that often these incidents go unreported and said officers across Scotland would continue to monitor the situation.

“We monitor the level and type of incidents being reported on a daily basis in order to provide the most effective and robust response to safeguard victims and wider community groups.

“lease be clear, Police Scotland will not tolerate any attempts to target communities by any misguided individual or group and we will work with all of our communities to resolve any issues and address concerns.”

Anyone experiencing such abuse is urged to call Police Scotland on 101, call or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or in an emergency dial 999.