LISTEN: Police Launch Hate Crime Crack Down
There is no place for prejudice in Scotland says the Police as they launch a month-long hate crime campaign.
Victims of hate crime are being urged to report incidents to police as a new campaign to tackle the problem is launched.
The month-long Police Scotland initiative aims to raise awareness of crimes relating to a person's sexual orientation, gender identity, faith, ethnicity or disability.
Shiona McCallum brings us this report:
It was launched with the help of paralympic sports stars Jo Butterfield, European club throw record holder, Jonathan Paterson, Team GB Paralympic football team captain, and Kieran Steer, European boccia champion. Superintendent Ross Aitken, from the force's safer communities team, said addressing the problem of hate crime was a priority.
He said: "If anyone feels they have been the victim of a crime which is motivated by malice or ill will because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, faith, ethnicity or disability, they should report it to us.
"We take all such reports very seriously and will conduct thorough investigations to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.''
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: "Everyone has the right to feel safe in their community and there's simply no excuse for hate crime.
"As a society, we've made good progress in raising awareness of this type of crime but there remains much more to be done. "This campaign is crucial as it gives clear advice on where victims can go for help.''