SECTARIANISM is increasing across Scotland, with four out of five religiously motivated hate crimes recorded in and around Glasgow.

Figures released today by the Scottish Government show there were 693 crimes aggravated by religious prejudice in Scotland last year, up nearly 10% on the previous year and the highest level in four years.

Of the offences recorded in the report, 79% took place in the Strathclyde Police force area. However, less than 5% were related to marches and parades. A third of all charges related directly to football.

In more than half of the incidents, the perpetrator had consumed alcohol before committing the crime.

The figures were part of a report commissioned by the Scottish Government and Roseanna Cunningham, minister for community safety, promised a clampdown on bigots.

She said: "These statistics show the shameful reality of religious hate crime in Scotland.

"Like racism, this kind of behaviour should not be happening in a modern Scotland but, sadly, it seems there are still those who think hatred on the basis of religion is acceptable.

"We need a wholesale change of attitudes, and this report provides a valuable insight into the nature and scale of religious hate crime across Scotland.

"It shows a disproportionate number of religious hate crimes are directly linked to football, both in stadiums, on public transport and in bars.

"That is why we have made clear we will be looking at further wide-ranging actions across society, such as in schools and communities, in addition to legislation to send out a clear message that this behaviour will not be tolerated any longer."

Of the crimes recorded, 58% were derogatory to Roman Catholicism, 37% to Protestantism, while 2.3% related to Judaism and 2.1% to Islam.

Police define a religiously aggravated offence as an incident involving "malice and ill-will based on the victim's membership (or perceived membership) of a religious group or a social or cultural group with a perceived religious affiliation".

The Government has proposed laws on sectarianism that will target people who whip up religious hatred at football matches or on the internet.

Ms Cunningham said education and "tough enforcement" would be used to tackle the problem. She added: "We must deal with sectarianism in the same way as with racism, and drink-driving. This Bill will not be the conclusive answer or the only solution, but it is the beginning of the end."

A recent poll revealed 91% of Scots support action to tackle sectarianism in football.

jasper.hamill@heraldandtimes.co.uk