Charges for hate crimes in Scotland soar to record high

The number of hate crime charges in Scotland has reached a record high, new data shows.

A total of 7,115 charges with at least one element of hate crime were recorded in 2025-26.

This is 17% up on the previous year and the highest number since 2003-04 when records began.

The increase follows the introduction of controversial hate crime laws in 2024.

A breakdown of the data published by Crown Office shows that racial crime remains the most commonly reported.

In total 3,990 charges relating to race crime were reported in 2025-26, an increase of 17% compared to the previous year and an 11-year high.

Sexual orientation aggravated crime is the second most commonly reported type of hate crime.

The number of these charges reported in 2025-26 was 2,062, an increase of 20% compared with 2024-25.

Elsewhere, the number of disability aggravated charges increased by 25% to 1,370 over the last year.

A new law introduced in 2024 created a new crime of "stirring up hatred" relating to age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity or being intersex.

The maximum penalty is a prison sentence of seven years.

A person commits an offence if they communicate material or behave in a manner "that a reasonable person would consider to be threatening or abusive," with the intention of stirring up hatred based on the protected characteristics.

The law proved controversial, with author JK Rowling among its critics, and Police Scotland were flooded with complaints about online posts when it was first introduced.

Lord Advocate Ruth Charteris KC pointed out that 94% of the charges resulted in prosecutorial action last year.

She said: "An increase in reports of crime motivated by racial, sexual orientation and disability aggravated hatred should concern us all.

"Everyone who lives in Scotland is entitled to feel safe and every hate crime represents a decision to target a person because of who they are.

"I want to reach out to communities across Scotland and say that prosecutors are here to ensure that every report of a crime motivated by hate will be carefully considered and brought before the court where appropriate."

Kirsten Oswald, victims and community safety minister, said: "Recent events have highlighted increased levels of intimidation, and we know the impact this has had on communities who may already be feeling vulnerable.

"These latest figures show that hate crime remains a serious issue in Scotland and this government stands firmly against any form of hatred, prejudice or intolerance and the rhetoric which underpins it.

"While it is essential that people feel empowered to report incidents of hate crime – and this increase may partly reflect improved reporting and awareness – each case represents real harm to individuals and communities."