Alcohol fuelled hate crimes in the north-east have increased in the last year to more than 400 reported incidents.
A “significant” proportion of the abuse was dealt out to emergency service workers and more than half happened in Aberdeen city centre, where 256 crimes were logged last year.
In a report to the council’s Public Protection Committee next week, Chief Superintendent Campbell Thomson outlines the statistics and notes: “Much of the hate crime which occurs within Aberdeen city centre takes place during the night-time economy or in areas of regeneration within the city.
“Alcohol is often a factor for one or more party.”
The report goes on to say that a “significant number” of the victims of the crimes are members of the emergency services, working within the city centre.
Aberdeen’s night time economy manager, Nicola Johnston last night said she was “disappointed” with the findings of the report, but added: “The night time economy often gets the blame, but it is people’s actions that are to blame – not the night time economy.
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“The city centre venues and businesses have all been very proactive, through Pub Watch and Ask Angela for example.
“We are bringing in tourism and spending to the city centre and trying to focus on safety.
“The Red Frogs have been out helping the new cohorts of students going into the city centre learn how to use alcohol wisely – they are the student guardians of the night and can be found within pubs and clubs.”
Last year, 416 Hate Crimes were reported to police across the north-east.
The crimes are described as relating to a wide ranging spectrum of incidents of either physical and emotional abuse, name calling, bullying, damage to property and sometimes serious acts of violence.
The report said the community policing team has been re-enforcing the need to report hate crimes among night time retailers.
Many offences reported are “comments” directed at security door staff after people “take issue” with how they are dealt with.
In June, the Press and Journal reported on the new figures of hate crimes against lesbian, gay and bisexual people doubling in the last year.
Official data showed that crime aggravated by sexual orientation jumped from 35 in 2016/17 to 69 offences last year.
However, the figures are also being viewed as evidence that more people have the confidence to report such offences to the police.