Decision details

The Committee resolved:-

(i)             to note the report;

(ii)            to note many within the public and the media have great concerns that the implementation of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 will criminalise freedom of thought, freedom of speech, and freedom of belief; and requests the Chief Superintendent Graeme Mackie, North East Division, Police Scotland bring forward a thematic report to the meeting on 21 November 2024 on the implications to the media and the public from this new Act;

(iii)          to request that Police Scotland report back to the meeting on 30 May 2024, in regards to a previous action which was to look at breaking down the figures in relation to crimes committed and victim numbers to highlight the percentage of men and women who carried out the crime/were victims of the crime rather than an inclusive figure;

(iv)          to request that Police Scotland feedback to the next meeting of the Committee, with details of the engagement that was previously undertaken with 200 members of the public, to include details on issues that people may require help or assistance with, as well as the new various locations where anti social behaviour has taken place;

(v)           to request that Police Scotland provide details of the Scottish Government website, which had been set up to provide guidance in regards to the new Hate Crime Act, which could be shared with elected members; and

(vi)          to note that work was underway with Police Scotland and Community Safety Partnership in regards to the new Hate Crime Act and to request that the Executive Director – Corporate Services, liaise with elected members in regards to the new Act.