Crimestoppers has said that hate crime is thought to be massively under-reported

Those who fall victim to hate crimes are being urged to report incidents to the police.

Crimestoppers has said that hate crime is thought to be massively under-reported, and the charity is urging the public to come forward.

It has said that many people accept some incidents as part of life and do not realise that the abuse they are suffering or witnessing is a crime.

They may also mistakenly believe that nothing will be done about it.

Over the period May to September 2017 compared to December to April 2017, Crimestoppers experienced an 88% increase in calls and contacts relating to hate crime in Scotland which included: a 50% increase in information on Islamophobia and a 40% increase in information on racism.

Angela Parker, national manager of Crimestoppers Scotland, said: “Together we can help to ensure Scotland is a tolerant nation for all. Hate crime has a terrible impact on victims. It is totally unacceptable to attack or threaten someone because they identify as a particular race, religion, sexual orientation, or have a disability.

“We urge anyone who has information about the perpetrators of this crime to contact us 100% anonymously.

“We understand it’s not easy to step up and report someone, especially if they’re a close friend or family member, but we do not take personal details and we can’t trace information given to us by phone or online. No-one will ever know you contacted us.”

If you have any information about hate crime, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through an anonymous online form.