New Scottish police force trained to fight LGBT hate crime

A new group of Police officers in Scotland have been established to improve the reporting of gay and transgender crimes, according to the Daily Record.

Around 90 officers have trained with the Equality Network, Scotland’s LGBT equality charity, to help prevent hate crimes.

They have also worked with the I Am Me charity to provide support for people with disabilities at the start of the national Hate Crime Awareness Week.

The officers have stated that offences based on disability, sexual orientation, race and religion often go unreported so they want people to be aware they can use third-party reporting through charities and community groups.

Chief Constable Phil Gormley said that tackling prejudice and intolerance is a “priority” for Police Scotland.

Tim Hopkins, the director of Equality Network, said, “We were happy to provide training on LGBT hate crime issues to nearly 100 police officers across Scotland earlier this year and it’s great to see that Police Scotland have now set up a national network of liaison officers.”

A recent report reveals that homophobic hate crimes have more than doubled in the last three months following the Brexit vote.

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