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Reports of homophobic hate crime has tripled in Scotland, according to Scottish newspaper the Daily Record.

The number of homophobic attacks has risen in most Scottish regions, with the greatest number taking place in Glasgow’s region, Strathclyde. 216 homophobic hate crime incidents were reported to Strathclyde police in 2005, compared to just 50 cases in 2003. Many other regions reported similar increases in the same three year period.

One region’s police force - Tayside - has no homophobic hate crime information, as the force does not record the sexuality or transgender status of victims of crime.

Chief Supt Gillian Wood of Lothian and Borders Police believes that the increase is due to more people reporting hate crime, rather than an increase in the number of crimes committed.

Wood said, “Whilst some gay and lesbian people may feel unable to make direct contact with the police for a number of reasons, we would assure them that any information they provide will be treated seriously and investigated fully, in a professional manner.”

Stonewall Scotland believes that the figures may undrepresent the true extent of the problem of homophobic hate crime. “There is still a massive problem of under-reporting,” said Calum Irving, director of Stonewall Scotland.

“Police forces need to take it seriously, record these crimes properly and make it clear to the LGBT community that they can trust the police and that hate crime will not be tolerated.”

“The number of attacks is horrific. There is no place for hate crime in a modern Scotland. That’s why we’re fighting for legislation to make sure courts take hate crime seriously.”

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