Summary of Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service statistics on offences aggravated by religious prejudice
These Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) statistics provide a snap-shot of charges reported to Procurators Fiscal by police which were aggravated by religiously motivated prejudice. The information was taken from police reports submitted to Procurators Fiscal throughout Scotland. It is worthwhile noting that the COPFS database is a live, operational database used to manage the processing of reports submitted to Procurators Fiscal by the police and other reporting agencies. The figures quoted relate to the number of charges rather than the number of individuals charged or the number of incidents that gave rise to such charges.
By religiously aggravated offences we mean charges reported by police that include an aggravation of religiously motivated behaviour in terms of Section 74 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003.
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In the year 2007-2008, reports to Procurators Fiscal throughout Scotland included 608 charges of an offence aggravated by religious prejudice. Court proceedings were initiated in relation to 91% of the total charges and a further 5% were dealt with by Direct Measures, such as Fiscal Fines, warning letters, diversion schemes or were referred to the Children's Reporter. The remaining 4% either did not proceed or are awaiting a marking decision.
These figures show a 13% fall in the number of charges reported to Procurators Fiscal since the period 2006-2007. We cannot assume that these figures represent the actual levels of crime in Scotland aggravated by religious prejudice. The figures also show a continuing high percentage of cases where court proceedings were taken.
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In the year 2006-2007, reports to Procurators Fiscal throughout Scotland included 699 charges of an offence aggravated by religious prejudice.
Proceedings were taken by the Procurator Fiscal in 95% of the total charges and a further 3% were dealt with by an alternative "Direct Measure", such as a warning, Fiscal Fine, Diversion or referred to the Children's Reporter.
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In the year 2005-2006, reports to Procurators Fiscal throughout Scotland included 704 charges of an offence aggravated by religious prejudice.
Proceedings were taken by the Procurator Fiscal in 96% of the total charges and a further 3% were dealt with by an alternative "Direct Measure", such as a warning, Fiscal Fine, Diversion or referred to the Children's Reporter.
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In the year 2004-2005 , reports to Procurators Fiscal throughout Scotland included 479 charges of an offence aggravated by religious prejudice.
Proceedings were taken by the Procurator Fiscal in 96% of the total charges and a further 4% were dealt with by an alternative "Direct Measure", such as a warning, Fiscal Fine, Diversion or referred to the Children's Reporter.
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In the year 2003-2004, reports to Procurators Fiscal throughout Scotland included 272 charges of an offence aggravated by religious prejudice.
Proceedings were taken by the Procurator Fiscal in 96% of the total charges and a further 4% were dealt with by an alternative "Direct Measure", such as a warning, Fiscal Fine, Diversion or referred to the Children's Reporter.
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Policy Division
May 2008