Hate crimes reach record levels in Scotland

Hate crimes have increased to record levels, according to statistics covering 2025-26.

The figures show charges containing at least one element of hate crime totalled 7,115 – up by 17 per cent from the previous year and the highest number since records began.

Race-related offences continue to be the most common type of hate crime, accounting for 56 per cent of all charges. These increased by 17 per cent between 2024-25 and 2025-26.

But there was significant growth in the number of sexual orientation aggravated crime – up 20 per cent – and disability aggravated crime – up 25 per cent.

Lord Advocate Ruth Charteris, who heads up the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said the increase “should concern us all”.

She added: “We each have a role to play in challenging the actions of those who are motivated by prejudice and hate. Today’s publication highlights that prosecutors remain focused on holding offenders to account, helping to ensure Scotland is a place where everyone can live free from the threat of hatred or abuse.”

She added that last year, only two per cent of all hate crimes reported resulted in no prosecutorial action.

Hate crime covers all offending motivated by prejudice related to race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, transgender identity, age and variations in sex characteristics.

Figures on hate crimes aggravated by race, disability, sexual orientation and transgender identity also increased compared to the year before.

But there were reductions in the number of hate crimes motivated by age and variations in sex characteristics. This was the second year both of these aggravations existed, following the introduction of the Hate Crime and Public Order Act. This means long-term trends cannot yet be identified.

The new law also introduced a “stirring up hatred” charge. Last year, there were 48 charges brought under this new charge – a decrease of 24 per compared to the year before.

The vast majority of accused persons (79 per cent) across all hate crime charges were male.

The figures relate to the number of charges rather than individuals charged or number of incidents.