There has been a “marked increase” in the number of hate crimes committed in South Ayrshire, new figures show.
Data from Police Scotland in South Ayrshire’s Q2 performance summary report show that hate crimes have increased by more than 24 per cent.
In the financial year ended 2023/24 there were a total of 58 hate crimes recorded within the region.
So far, that figure now stands at 72, based on data collated between April 1 this year and September 30, representing a 24.1 per cent increase – with half of the financial year remaining.
The current figure also represents 40.1 per cent increase in the five-year average.
The Police Scotland in South Ayrshire Q2 report states: “Based on the information we have available, there appears to have been a marked increase in hate crime across South Ayrshire.
“During 2023/24 a total of 58 crimes were recorded whilst in 2024/25 there have been 72 so far.”
The report also reveals that racial crimes have “decreased slightly,” while ‘disablist’ and ‘religious’ crimes are “showing increases.”
The report says: “The majority of these have involved members of the public rather than Police Officers.”
Police officers continue to mostly be subjected to homophobic and disablist slurs, according to the report too.
The report continues: “There were a total of three repeat victims identified, two were subjected to two racial crimes each and the third individual was subjected to disablist abuse. There were a number of repeat locations identified.”
The report adds: “Some of the repeat victims and repeat locations relate to retail premises and staff members within. Our dedicated Prevention and Intervention officer has made contact with these individuals to offer support. As a result of detailed enquiry a 28 yea-old male was remanded for a number of these crimes.
“Incidents encompassing hate crime are subject to daily scrutiny by the Local Area Commander and reviewed on a regular basis, ensuring all enquiry is conducted efficiently and effectively and to ensure all persons responsible for such crimes are brought to justice.”