Scottish Government

Race

The Scottish Crime Survey (2000) found that minority ethnic respondents had a higher risk of household victimisation (e.g. vandalism, housebreaking, theft of and from vehicles) and a greater risk of experiencing more than one such victimisation than white respondents. 25% of incidents against people from minority ethnic groups were considered by the victims to have been racially motivated. Abusive comments were made towards proportionately more minority ethnic respondents than whites. People from minority ethnic groups were considerably more likely than whites to use risk avoidance strategies such as avoiding certain other people, being accompanied when outside, and making special transport arrangements. The research also found that people from minority ethnic groups were more likely than white respondents to report vehicle theft and housebreaking to the police but were less likely to report vandalism, assault, robbery and theft from the person. In relation to household incidents, however, minority ethnic victims consistently expressed higher levels of satisfaction towards the police than white victims.

A recent study undertaken by the Lord Chancellors Department interviewed black, white and Asian defendants and witnesses in the criminal courts in England and Wales. They found that perceptions of racial bias amongst people from minority ethnic groups who appear before the criminal courts appear to be less widely held than in the past. However, 1 in 5 black and 1 in 8 Asian defendants definitely perceive racial bias in the Crown Court, and at least 1 in 10 in the magistrates' court. Black lawyers and staff were also more likely to perceive racial bias than others.

Mainstreaming race concerns and issues is central to the continued success of a fair justice system in Scotland and the UK.

Scottish Executive

• Racist Incidents Recorded by the Police in Scotland, 2003/04 to 2005/06 This bulletin reports details of all racist incidents reported to the police, all crimes or offences associated with each incident, and, where possible, details of the victims and perpetrators. It is also important to note that these statistics cover only incidents reported to the police, not all racist incidents.

• Minority & Social Diversity in Legal Education (2003)

• The Experience of Black/Minority Ethnic Police Officers, Support Staff, Special Constables & Resigners in Scotland (2002)
• Working Together for Race Equality - The Scottish Executive's Race Equality Scheme (2002) Justice Department
• Racist Crime & Victimisation in Scotland (2002)
• The 2000 Scottish Crime Survey: Analysis of the Ethnic Minority Booster Sample (2002)
• Audit of Research on Minority Ethnic Issues in Scotland From a 'Race' Perspective, Chapter Six: Race & Access to Justice (2001)
• Family Mediation Services for Minority Ethnic Families in Scotland (2001)
• Family Mediation Services for Minority Ethnic Families in Scotland (2001) Research Findings
• Police Stop & Search among White & Minority Ethnic Young People in Scotland (2001)
• The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry: Review of Scottish Executive Action Plan Definition of Racist Incident; Reporting & Recording of Racist Incidents & Crimes (2001)
• The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry: Review of Scottish Executive Action PlanPolice Practice & the Investigation of Racist Crime (2001)
• The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry: Review of Scottish Executive Action Plan Prosecution of Racist Crimes (2001)
• The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry: Review of Scottish Executive Action Plan Stop & Search (2001)
• Without Prejudice? A Thematic Inspection of Police Race Relations in Scotland
• A Fair Cop? HM Inspectorate of Constabulary: A Thematic Inspection into Police Complaints in Scotland (2000)
• Attitudes Towards Crime, Victimisation & the Police in Scotland: A Comparison of White & Ethnic Minority Views (1999)
• Countering Racial Harassment Through Co-Ordinated Action: A Strategic Review Of Policies & Procedures In Edinburgh (1998)
• Feasibility Study of Legal Representation Among White & Ethnic Minority Criminal Accused (1998)
• Listening to Victims of Crime: Victimisation Episodes & the Criminal Justice System in Scotland: An Examination of White & Ethnic Minority Crime Victim Experience (1996)

The Home Office

• Programmes for Black & Asian Offenders on Probation: Lessons for Developing Practice (2002)
• Race & the Criminal Justice System (2002)
• Racist Offences - How is the Law Working? The Implementation of the Legislation on Racially Aggravated Offences in the Crime & Disorder Act 1998 (2002)
• Crime, Policing & Justice: The Experience of Ethnic Minorities, Findings from the 2000 British Crime Survey (2001)
• Improving Race Relations in Prisons: What Works?
• Perceptions of Race and Conflict: Perspectives of Minority Ethnic Prisoners and of Prison Officers
• Ethnicity and Parole

Department for Consitutional Affairs

• Ethnic Minorities in the Criminal Courts: Perceptions of Fairness and Equality of Treatment (2003)

Joseph Rowntree Foundation

• Action Being Taken to Tackle Racial Harassment (2001)

NACRO

• Recording & Monitoring Racial Harassment (2002)