MORE religious hate crimes take place in POLICE STATIONS than in football stadiums

[johnnyk 158]

MORE religious hate crimes take place in POLICE STATIONS than in football stadiums, new figures show.

And cops make up nearly HALF of all victims of sectarian abuse.

 

One in five bigoted offences occur in cop shops â?? compared to just 12 per cent in soccer grounds. Of all victims, 42 per cent are bobbies.

 

Last night politicians insisted the stats show the SNP's planned new anti-bigotry legislation to tackle football hate crimes had been "rightly criticised".

 

Labour Shadow Justice spokesman James Kelly said: "It is clear sectarianism does not stop at the stadium gates."

 

Tory justice spokesman David McLetchie said: "The case for new laws remains unproven."

 

And a Celtic spokesman added: "The vast majority of religiously-aggravated crime does not take place in or around stadia.

 

"This reinforces our long-held view that sectarianism and religious prejudice are societal issues and cannot be laid predominantly at the door of football."

 

Holyrood united against the SNP's new Offensive Behaviour at Football Bill earlier this year â?? branding it "naive".

 

Community Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham promised statistics to back up her case for change.

 

But yesterday's figures came as a blow to the party's plans.

 

There were a total of 693 recorded sectarian offences last year â?? the highest level in four years.

 

Rangers boss Ally McCoist believes the rise is down to a clampdown by authorities.

 

But he added: "I'm of the belief we're going in the right direction. I definitely believe we are improving as a nation."

 

http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/3945827/More-hate-crimes-in-cop-shops-than-footie-grounds.html

 

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/11/17154035/3

Edited November 19, 2011 by johnnyk

[Guest Dutchy]

It's just a badly thought out Bill and the SNP's refusal to aknowledge that will do them more harm than good.

 

I'm sure it was Jack McConnel that brought in the anti-religious laws a few years back. Are they not sufficent to deal with the problem, added to the fact that the law will be changing so as to rid us of the 'corroboration' element to gain convictions.

 

But as always, it will only be the working-class that are hammered by these laws and any 'professional' uttering the same type of comments will always find a better lawyer to 'create' a good excuse as to why his client should get off.