RACIST incidents in Glasgow have increased while there has been a fall across the rest of Scotland, according to the latest figures.

Over the last six years reports of racist incidents to the police show a decrease of 8% across Scotland, with just under 5000 cases.

However, in Glasgow, the trend is in the opposite direction, with an 8.3% increase from 1226 incidents in 2005 up to 1328 last year.

The figures for Glasgow are the highest per head of population in Scotland. One suggestion from the Government for the increase is that more people are now willing to report such incidents.

While Community Safety Minister, Roseanna Cunningham, welcomed the figures with caution and a commitment to do more, in Glasgow the increase caused concern for campaigners and politicians.

The most likely victims were of Asian origin, accounting for 46% of all cases, with people of Pakistani origin accounting for one in four cases.

While racist incidents may be falling across Scotland, figures last month showed an increase in the number of charges reported to prosecutors.

Ms Cunningham said: "We must continue with the work we are doing to tackle racism and hatred in all its forms whilst constantly looking at new ways of getting across the message to the next generation of young Scots."

The most common offence was racially aggravated conduct, accounting for 60% of the total. Others included minor assault, 14%, and breach of the peace, 12%.

Jatin Haria, director of the Glasgow-based Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, said more detail of what lies behind the trends is necessary to understand the increase.

He said: " Government like to suggest it is down to increased confidence, leading to more reporting, but we don't know that... it could equally be an increase in racism."

stewart.paterson@ eveningtimes.co.uk

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