Racism is unacceptable in Scotland and the UK. It is a serious offence to injure, harass or verbally abuse someone because of their race or to damage their property for that reason. It is also against the law to stir up racial hatred. 

Hate crime, discrimination, and harassment are serious breaches of the law and will always be investigated by Police Scotland. 

A Hate Crime is ‘any crime which is perceived by the victim or any other person as being motivated (wholly or partly) by malice or ill will towards a social group’. 

There are five protected characteristics covered by hate crime legislation:

• Disability 
• Race 
• Religion 
• Sexual Orientation 
• Transgender Identity 

Hate crime can be verbal or physical abuse, property damage, shouting, swearing or heckling. It can happen on social media, in the street, on public transport, or at work. None of this is acceptable. 

If you have been the victim of a hate crime, or witnessed it, please report it to police. You will be listened to and helped. Police Scotland takes Hate Crime seriously.

No one in Scotland should ever have to feel harassed at work, school, or in a public place, and you should never be treated differently because of where you are from when you are looking for accommodation, applying for a job, or going about your daily life. 

You can learn more about how discrimination is dealt with in Scotland here. 

Harassment includes threatening behaviour such as unwanted phone calls, letters, emails, or visits, stalking, or verbal abuse and threats. Learn more about reporting harassment here.  

If you are the victim of a crime you should call Police Scotland by dialling 999. You can also report a crime online by filling out this form.