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Justice Secretary comments on racism statistics
31/03/2009
New figures published today by the Scottish Government show that there was a one per cent decrease last year in the number of racist incidents reported to the police in Scotland.
Commenting on the figures, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said:
"Overall crime in Scotland is at a 25 year low. These latest figures show a small reduction in the number of racist incidents in Scotland.
"Although any decrease is to be welcomed, this shows that we need to step up the work going on to transform attitudes and change behaviour.
"We need to be ever vigilant and ensure that all our communities are protected. In the year of homecoming we need to remember we are all Jock Tamsons bairns - we're all equal, where ever we went to and wherever we have come from. The law will protect everyone irrespective of class, creed or colour.
"Along with tough enforcement of the law, with record numbers of police officers on our streets, community engagement and education and awareness raising are driving home the message that there is no place for racism of any kind in Scotland.
"Our Criminal Justice and Licensing bill will require the courts for the first time to record how racial or religious aggravation has affected any sentence. This will help give us a clearer picture of the number of crimes that have a racist element.
"We cannot be complacent and we must continue with the work we are doing to tackle racism in all its forms.
"The Scottish Government will not tolerate racist behaviour of any kind, whether on the street, at or around a football match or in a pub.
"Our migrant communities are as much part of the threads of Scotland's tartan as the rest of us. They contribute so much to this nation and we want to send out a message that we value them.
"We want Scotland to be a country where all our citizens can live free from fear and discrimination."