Five instances of racist hate crime were recorded in Dundee during a 12-day period surrounding May’s deadly terror attacks in Manchester.
Between Tuesday May 22 and Friday June 2, Police Scotland recorded five examples of abuse relating to race in Dundee.
In both Perth and Kinross and Angus, there was one instance of racial crime during the same period in both areas.
In all, more than 700 racist hate crimes have been recorded in Tayside between 2014 and 2017.
Dundee city recorded by far the highest level of racial hate crimes, with 395 instances noted by police in the City of Discovery during the four year period.
145Â instances were recorded in Angus and 211 have been noted in Perth and Kinross.
36Â examples of religious hate crime were also recorded across the region between 2014 and 2017.
Show Racism The Red Card campaign manager Nicola Hay said: “There are an increasing number of racist hate crimes being reported across Scotland.
“Such behaviour is absolutely disgusting and has no place in a progressive Scotland.
“Racist attitudes are supported by misinformation, therefore education and the opportunity to talk openly and honestly about these issues is needed now more than ever.
“Show Racism the Red Card is working hard to educate against racism as we firmly believe this is the best way to change attitudes.
“Together we can make a difference, together we can create a Scotland for all, free from prejudice and discrimination.”
Despite the harrowing figures and claims racist hate crime is on the rise across the nation, the level of recorded racial hate in Tayside has dipped dramatically in recent years.
In Dundee, instances of hate crime relating to race peaked in 2015/2016, when 154 instances were noted.
During 2017/2018 however, only 18 examples have been noted.
In Perth and Kinross, the figure has fallen from 70 to 10 between 2014 and 2017. In Angus, the figure has fallen from 56 to just eight.
North East MSP Bill Bowman welcomed news that instances of racism in Tayside are falling, but warned racism must always be considered “totally unacceptable”.
He said: “In the aftermath of a terrorist incident, feelings can run high, but there is no excuse for the targeting of one group or another because of their religion or race. We must all be clear that this type of abuse is totally unacceptable at any time,
“While the figures show a spike in offences across Tayside following the Manchester bombing, the trend otherwise appears to be heading in the opposite direction.
“That should be welcomed, but there is obviously a lot more still to be done.”
Scottish Government communities secretary Angela Constance said: “There is no excuse for any form of hate crime and we are working with Police Scotland and others to increase awareness of, and the response to, hate crime.
“We will launch a public campaign later this year to raise awareness of the impacts of hate crime and how to report it.
“This Government has also commissioned an independent review of all hate crime legislation in Scotland, to report early next year, to ensure our hate crime laws remain adequate, appropriate and fit for the 21st century.”
