Reported racist crime on increase

The rise comes despite moves to increase harmony

Racially motivated crime is still rising across Scotland, according to figures for 2006.

Despite a high-profile campaign by the Scottish Executive, 3,387 race crimes and offences were recorded by the country's eight police forces.

The figures, collated between April and December, compared with 3,192 for the same period last year - a 6% rise.

The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland said confidence in the police helped increase reporting.

The figures showed the largest increase was in Lothian and Borders.

Any form of racist offence is completely unacceptable A Scottish Executive spokeswoman

In 2005-6, 4,294 racially-aggravated crimes were recorded by police - 358 every month and more than 10-times the level recorded in 2001-2.

In the Lothian and Borders area, police recorded 970 assaults and other racially-aggravated offences between April and December this year - up 26% on the 768 crimes recorded for the same period in 2005.

Grampian Police also saw a rise in reported race hate crimes, from 271 to 312, up 15%.

The Scottish Executive highlighted its One Scotland campaign

While Strathclyde Police saw a slight drop in recorded racist crimes, from 1,400 to 1,370, the number of non-crime racist incidents, such as people being denied access to a nightclub because of the colour of their skin, rose from about 250 to more than 400.

A Scottish Executive spokeswoman said: "Any form of racist offence is completely unacceptable.

"In 2007 the executive will develop a national system for monitoring racist incidents which will apply to the public sector as a whole.

"The executive is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all and to raising public awareness of racist attitudes and behaviour and the negative impact this has on individuals and society more generally."

She said the One Scotland anti-racism campaign also aimed to "celebrate" the positive aspects of multi-cultural society in Scotland.