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Summary of COPFS statistics on offences aggravated by religious prejudice from 2003 to 2010

These Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service(COPFS) statistics provide a snap-shot of charges reported to Procurators Fiscal by police which were aggravated by religiously motivated prejudice.  The information was taken from police reports submitted to Procurators Fiscal throughout Scotland. It is worthwhile noting that the COPFS database is a live, operational database used to manage the processing of reports submitted to Procurators Fiscal by the police and other reporting agencies. The figures quoted relate to the number of charges rather than the number of individuals charged or the number of incidents that gave rise to such charges.
 
By religiously aggravated offences we mean charges reported by police that include an aggravation of religiously motivated behaviour in terms of Section 74 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003.
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In the year 2009 – 2010, reports to Procurators Fiscal throughout Scotland included 629 charges of an offence aggravated by religious prejudice.   Court proceedings were initiated in relation to 94% of the total charges and a further 3% were dealt with by Direct Measures, such as Fiscal fines, warning letters, diversion schemes or were referred to the Children’s Reporter. The remaining 4% either did not proceed or are awaiting a marking decision.
 
These figures continue to show a steady number of offences aggravated by religious prejudice reported to the Procurator Fiscal Service during the past five years. We cannot assume that these figures represent the actual levels of crime in Scotland aggravated by religious prejudice.  
 
The figures also show a continuing high percentage of cases where court proceedings were taken.
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In the year 2008 - 2009, reports to Procurators Fiscal throughout Scotland included 669 charges of an offence aggravated by religious prejudice. Court proceedings were initiated in relation to 93% of the total charges and a further 3% were dealt with by Direct Measures, such as Fiscal Fines, warning letters, diversion schemes or were referred to the Children’s Reporter. The remaining 4% either did not proceed or are awaiting a marking decision.
 
These figures show a steady number of offences aggravated by religious prejudice reported to the Procurator Fiscal Service during the past four years. We cannot assume that these figures represent the actual levels of crime in Scotland aggravated by religious prejudice.  
 
The figures also show a continuing high percentage of cases where court proceedings were taken.
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In the year 2007-2008, reports to Procurators Fiscal throughout Scotland included 608 charges of an offence aggravated by religious prejudice. Court proceedings were initiated in relation to 91% of the total charges and a further 5% were dealt with by Direct Measures, such as Fiscal Fines, warning letters, diversion schemes or were referred to the Children’s Reporter. The remaining 4% either did not proceed or are awaiting a marking decision.
                                               
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In the year 2006-2007, reports to Procurators Fiscal throughout Scotland included 699 charges of an offence aggravated by religious prejudice. 
Proceedings were taken by the Procurator Fiscal in 95% of the total charges and a further 3% were dealt with by an alternative “Direct Measure”, such as a warning, Fiscal Fine, Diversion or referred to the Children’s Reporter. 
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In the year 2005-2006, reports to Procurators Fiscal throughout Scotland included 704 charges of an offence aggravated by religious prejudice. 
Proceedings were taken by the Procurator Fiscal in 96% of the total charges and a further 3% were dealt with by an alternative “Direct Measure”, such as a warning, Fiscal Fine, Diversion or referred to the Children’s Reporter. 
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In the year 2004-2005, reports to Procurators Fiscal throughout Scotland included 479 charges of an offence aggravated by religious prejudice. 
Proceedings were taken by the Procurator Fiscal in 96% of the total charges and a further 4% were dealt with by an alternative “Direct Measure”, such as a warning, Fiscal Fine, Diversion or referred to the Children’s Reporter. 
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In the year 2003-2004, reports to Procurators Fiscal throughout Scotland included 272 charges of an offence aggravated by religious prejudice. 
Proceedings were taken by the Procurator Fiscal in 96% of the total charges and a further 4% were dealt with by an alternative “Direct Measure”, such as a warning, Fiscal Fine, Diversion or referred to the Children’s Reporter. 
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Policy Division
August 2010
 
 
 
Religiously Aggravated Crime Tables 2003 - 10
 
Religious Prejudice Aggravations 
Marking Group
Charge Instruction
2003-4
2004-5
2005-6
2006-7
2007-8
2008-9
 
 
2009-10
No Proceedings
No Pro
12
11
26
11
14
24
18
Direct Measures
FF
4
2
11
3
5
6
2
Reporter
 1
1
4
11
14
3
11
Warning
6
18
10
7
13
11
2
Diversion
 
1
1
 1
0
0
1
Total Direct Measures
11
22
26
22
32
20
 
16
Court Proceedings
Prosecute
238
424
625
601
528
579
548
Not a separate charge
10
22
27
63
35
44
47
 
Total Court Proceedings
248
446
652
664
563
623
 
595
Not Marked
Not Marked
 
 
 
 
 
2
 
 
Grand Total
271
479
704
697
608
669
629