Central Scotland Police

MAHRS puts focus on hate incidents in Forth Valley

Wednesday, 28th July 2010

The response by partners in Forth Valley to incidents aggravated by hatred is to be enhanced through a new three-year strategy aimed at making communities safer.

Individuals who become victims of intimidation, harassment or physical assault because of prejudice relating to race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity will be the focus of the Multi-Agency Hate Response Strategy (MAHRS).

MAHRS is a partnership between the emergency services, local authorities, health services, prosecutors, victims' representatives, further and higher educational establishments and equality council.

The partnership will focus on five strands of diversity - race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity - which can all be the subject of hate crime. Previously partners were involved in the Racial Attacks and Harassment Multi-Agency Strategy, which focused solely on racist incidents.

Partners involved in the work include: Central Scotland Police; Central Scotland Fire & Rescue Service; Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling Councils; NHS Forth Valley; Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service; Victim Support; Central Scotland Racial Equality Council; Stirling University; and Forth Valley College.

The group launched the new strategy for 2010-2013 at Larbert Police Office today (July 28). The aims are to promote understanding and recording of hate incidents, identify trends, put in place co-ordinated action to deal with the issues and provide high levels of victim care.

T/Assistant Chief Constable Gordon Samson, who chairs the MAHRS steering group, said: "There is a long history in Central Scotland of partners and communities working well together to address the issue of crime motivated by intolerance, prejudice and hatred.

"Through RAHMAS, some very valuable working relationships were forged which form the strong foundation we have today for taking this same approach on other areas of diversity.

"Those who think it is acceptable to commit a criminal act against another individual because of homophobia, transphobia, religious bigotry, racism or disability related prejudice need to realise that this behaviour has no place within our communities.

"Anyone who believes they have been a victim of an incident motivated by hate can have confidence in reporting it to the authorities and of receiving a professional service. The welfare of any victim is treated with a high priority and the joint approach ensures the right level of response is given to this very serious issue. This strategy underpins and strengthens our approach.ö

While levels of hate incidents within Central Scotland have increased in recent years, analysis has shown both improved reporting procedures and increased confidence amongst victims as being largely responsible for the rise.

The full strategy and further information about what is done in Central Scotland to tackle hate crime and improve reporting of such incidents is available at www.stophateincentralscotland.org.uk.