Police Scotland received more than 7,000 complaints in the first week of new hate crime legislation coming into effect.
Between April 1 and 7, police received 7,152 online hate reports.
During this period, 240 hate crimes and 30 non-criminal hate incidents were recorded.
Police have pointed to two reports of alleged hate crimes at Sunday’s game between Rangers and Celtic.
police Scotland It said the vast majority of reports received during this period were anonymous.
These are being assessed under the new legislation and no further action is being taken at this time.
Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill Effective from April 1 Designed to address the harm caused by hate and prejudice, extending protection to people from abusive behavior on grounds such as age, disability, religion, sexual orientation and transgender identity.
The legislation does not list gender as a protected characteristic, as a separate bill aimed at tackling misogyny is expected to be introduced to the Scottish Parliament later.
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What are Scotland’s new hate crime laws? Why are they controversial?
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New hate crimes law explained
Those supporting the new laws insist they will make Scotland more tolerant.
Harry Potter author JK Rowling publicly criticized the move, saying it erodes free speech because she Dare the police to arrest her If they think her online comments are criminal.
Police Scotland later confirmed her online comments were Not recorded as a non-hate crime incident.
“Hate Monster” was used to advertise the new show.Picture: Police Scotland
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Protesters outside Holyrood last week. Image: PA
According to Police Scotland guidance, a non-criminal hate incident is recorded when a complaint does not meet the criminal threshold but is considered to be “motivated (in whole or in part) with malice and malice towards a social group”.
A total of 80.49 per cent of officers have completed training on the new law, police said in a summary released on Wednesday.
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A police spokesman said: “This data highlights the significant increase in the number of online hate reports received since 1 April.
“This huge demand continues to be managed within our contact centres, and so far there has been minimal impact on frontline policing, our ability to answer calls and respond to those who need our help in communities across Scotland.
“All complaints received are reviewed by officers, supported by dedicated hate crime advisers, and dealt with appropriately, whether undergoing further assessment or being closed for not meeting legislative standards.”
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