Bid to clamp down on racial hate crimes in Highlands
Police in the Highlands have launched a campaign to reduce the number of racially motivated hate crimes in takeaways and taxis across the area.
The campaign will see napkins and stickers with anti-racial hate crime messages being made available to late night food outlets and taxi cabs respectively, over the coming weeks.
While hate crime is low in the region, there has been a slight increase in alcohol incidents against minority groups working late evenings in the service sectors.
Area commander for Inverness, Chief Inspector Graeme Murdoch said: "It is completely unacceptable to verbally abuse those who live and work in our communities and provide a valuable service to us.
"None of us should tolerate racial abuse and the police will continue to take a robust approach to such reported incidents."
A spokesperson for the Scottish Highlands, Islands and Moray Chinese Association (SHIMCA) commented: "I am delighted that Northern Constabulary is launching a campaign against hate crimes within the Highlands.
"This will raise awareness on the importance of reporting such incidences, however even one incident is one too many in our multi-cultural society."
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill welcomed the campaign to target what he described as the scourge of hate crime.
He said: "While overall hate crime is very low in the Highlands and Islands, one racist incident is one too many and totally unacceptable in modern Scotland.
"Our communities are safer than ever - recorded crime is at its lowest levels since 1975.
"Recorded racist incidents, though always worrying, remain relatively rare.
"The Scottish Government is taking robust action to combat racist behaviour. Almost £21m is being provided during 2012-15 to tackle inequality and discrimination generally, with nearly £6m of this supporting specific projects to combat racist and religious bigotry and hatred. There is absolutely no place for discrimination in our society."
The campaign materials will be made available to all late night takeaway food outlets and taxi drivers across the Highlands and Islands in the coming weeks.
