News

27 March 2007
SCOTTISH POLICE SERVICE DEVELOPES ACTION PLAN TO TACKLE RELIGIOUS HATRED AND INTOLERANCE

STIRLING – The Scottish Police Service will unveil a key tool in its efforts to reduce religious hatred and intolerance at an inter faith council conference tomorrow.

Deputy Chief Constable Colin Mather, Chair of the Religion and Faith Reference Group for the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS), will speak about the strategic goals of the Association’s Religion and Faith Reference Group Action Plan at the Scottish Inter Faith Council’s seminar for women in Stirling on Wednesday 28 March.

The action plan addresses seven goals that the Scottish Police Services hopes to achieve in making Scotland a country free from hatred, prejudice and discrimination founded on religion, faith or belief.

ACPOS is working closely with community, religious and faith groups, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) and other relevant stakeholders to realise its vision.

DCC Mather said: “The Scottish Police Service is committed to addressing issues of religious hatred and intolerance and this priority forms a key element of the Association’s Diversity Strategy. The ACPOS Religion and Faith Reference Group was established as part of the strategy to provide dedicated leadership and focused organisational commitment to take this forward,”

Pramila Kaur, Executive Director of the Scottish Inter Faith Council, stated: “ACPOS and faith communities have a significant role to play in responding to situations of crisis and to promote good community relations. At times of tension, there can be a break down of communication and a loss of trust. A document such as the ACPOS ‘Religion and Faith Action Plan’ is a positive step towards building bridges and promoting community cohesion. In our shared society, we are deeply interconnected and an attack on one is an attack on all.”

A Crown Office Spokesperson said: “COPFS has been pleased to work in partnership with the Scottish Police Service on their Religion and Faith Reference Group and we commend ACPOS for their achievements in developing this action plan which sets out a number of important goals to help eliminate crime aggravated by religious prejudice from Scotland. COPFS looks forward to continuing its work with all of Scotland’s Police Forces as we develop further links with local communities and religious and faith groups to help tackle crimes of religious prejudice.”

The action plan has strategic goals that will address leadership, awareness, engagement, partnership working, effective policing strategies, consistent reporting and monitoring and consistent responses to victims as well as messaging to offenders.

“We are pleased to be able to present our action plan at the SIFC seminar on Wednesday,” Mr. Mather continued.

The Scottish Police Service aims to identify and prevent by working with other agencies crime founded on religion, faith or belief.

In addition, the SPS aims to build upon and promote good relations between religious and faith communities and to celebrate and reinforce the strength that lies in the diversity of Scotland.

“This seminar, entitled ‘Looking After One Another: the safety and security of our faith communities’, is an ideal venue to launch our action plan,” DCC Mather stressed.

“The Scottish Police Service is in a strong position to face and meet the challenges by working together with our communities as well as with religious and faith organisations and partner agencies.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1.  The Diversity Strategy was launched in 2004 to pursue the prevention, elimination or regulation of discrimination between persons on grounds of sex or marital status, on racial  grounds or on grounds of disability, age, sexual orientation, language or social origin or of other personal attributes, including beliefs or opinions such as religious beliefs or political opinions.

2.  The Lord Advocate issued guidelines in 2003 to Chief Constables on the reporting of offences aggravated by religious prejudice, alongside guidance to our prosecutors to ensure that any religious elements in an offence are brought before the court.

3.  COPFS records show that, between 2003, when the legislation was introduced, and 2006 there was an increase of over 150% in the number of charges of an offence aggravated by religious prejudice reported by the police to Procurators Fiscal. This figure may reflect increased public awareness and confidence leading to higher levels of reporting and is further credit to the work of the police.

CONTACT AND PUBLICATION INFORMATION:

1. Deputy Chief Constable Colin Mather, Central Scotland Police Force, is the Chair of the ACPOS Religion and Faith Reference Group, one of the portfolios under the Association’s Diversity Business Area.
   
   
2. Interviews with DCC Mather can be arranged by contacting Communications Officer Graham MacDonell, ACPOS Communications Unit at 0141 532 2062 or 07771 828 881 (mobile) or Inspector Ann Marie Sinclair / Sergeant John Baillie at 01786 826 022 / 024
   
   
3. Inspector Sinclair can be reached by mail at: Secretariat – ACPOS Religion & Belief, Diversity Unit, Central Scotland Police, Police Office, Perth Road, Dunblane  ;FK15 0EY or by e-mail at: diversityunit@centralscotland.police.uk
   
   
4. Copies of the ACPOS Religion and Faith Reference Group Action Plan 2006 – 2009 can be obtained from the ACPOS office by contacting the Communications Unit at: 0141 532 2062 or by e-mail at: communications@acpos.pnn.police.uk
   
   
5. Copies may also be obtained by contacting: Inspector Ann Marie Sinclair at: 01786 826 022 / 024or by e-mail at: diversityunit@centralscotland.police.uk

 INFORMATION REGARDING ACPOS DIVERSITY BUSINESS AREA:

1. Issues relating to religious hatred come under the ACPOS Religion and Faith Portfolio, which is led by Deputy Chief Constable Colin Mather, Central Scotland Police Force.
   
   
2. The ACPOS Diversity Strategy outlines the framework for development to deliver              police services in line with the aspirations of the ACPOS vision statement on diversity and to show the determination of the Scottish Police Service to demonstrate the value placed on developing and sustaining a diverse workforce within an environment that is welcoming and inclusive.
   
   
3. Copies of the ACPOS Diversity Strategy can be obtained by contacting the Communications Unit at: 0141 532 2062 or by e-mail at: communications@acpos.pnn.police.uk