Don't Tolerate Hate campaign aims to increase reporting of disability hate crime

Police Scotland is launching a new campaign aimed at tackling hate crimes against people with disabilities, after a report suggested they’re significantly under-reported.

They account for 4% of police reports, while one in five people in Scotland have a registered disability.

Sam, who has Down’s syndrome, is one of the faces behind the new initiative, after she was spat at by a stranger in a railway station in Glasgow.

She said she wanted to do what she could to help stop this type of crime happening to others: “I get the train to and from my work every day. I have been working as a catering assistant for 12 years.

“Everyone is always very nice to me at the stations and on the trains - they know me.

“One day I was waiting on the platform for my train and an older man wearing a green jacket came up to me and spat in my eye for no reason then just walked on without saying anything.

“I was just standing waiting on the train. I don't understand why someone would do that. I felt shocked.”

She added: “I didn't report it to police myself as I didn't know it was a crime but when I told my dad we reported it.

“I just don't want this to happen to anyone else, which is why I wanted to be part of this campaign. I want people to report hate crime to police.”

Police Scotland said a range of reporting options are available for victims or witnesses of disability hate crime, including in person at a police station or to an officer in the street, by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.

The force also has an online reporting form and accepts reports made through a third-party reporting centre.

Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said: “Disability hate crime is never acceptable. It is deplorable for anyone to be targeted because of any kind of disability.

“Sadly it's happening day in, and day out across the country but people should never just accept it as a part of life.”

He added: “Our message to everyone - whether they've been a victim of hate crime or witnessed it - is this: Don't tolerate hate.

“Please report this kind of behaviour. It is crucial everyone plays their part in stamping out this kind of insidious victimisation, and help us bring offenders to justice.”

Anti-disability hate crime charity, I Am Me Scotland, backs the campaign.

Chairwoman Eileen MacLean said: “It is vital people report incidents to police and to tackle this there are a lot of options for people to report hate crime, including through our free Keep Safe Scotland app.”

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