Lesson 2 - Hate Crime
What is the “drip drip” affect?
Sometimes victims have endured years of abuse before they report it to the Police. Sometimes this can be more damaging than a single more serious act. Something that seems minor may not feel minor to the victim due to the frequency or duration of abuse.
Lesson 2 - Hate Crime
Define: Hate Crime
Any crime which is perceived by the victim or any other person, as being motivated (wholly or partly) by malice and/or ill-will towards a social group.
Lesson 2 - Hate Crime
Which 5 social groups are protected under Hate Crime?
Disability - physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long term negative effect on your ability to do normal day-to-day activities. Substantial = more than minor/trivial. Long-term = 12 months or more.
Race - refers to a group of people defined by their race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins.
Religion - a set of beliefs held by a group of people.
Sexual Orientation - a person’s identity based on who they are physically and/or romantically attracted to.
Transgender Identity - Umberella terms for those whose gender is not the same as, nor sits comfortably with their sex at birth.
Lesson 2 - Hate Crime
What is a Hate Incident?
When a Hate Crime is reported to the Police but after investigation, no criminality is established, the circumstances will be recorded as a Hate Incident.
Lesson 2 - Hate Crime
Who can perceive a crime to be a Hate Crime?
Anyone - victim, witness, police witness, friend/family member, guardian/carer, 3rd party reporting organisation.
The evidence of a single person is not sufficient to prove a charge of a crime. HOWEVER, it is competent to libel a hate crime aggravation based on the evidence of one person.
Lesson 2 - Hate Crime
What is the difference between a Substantive Crime and a Standalone Offence?
Substantive Crime = a crime or offence which already exists in its own right e.g. assault, theft, murder. A person may be charged with this.
Standalone Offence = an offence that is recognised only as a Hate Crime e.g. Racially Aggravated Harassment, Racially Aggravated Behaviour.
Lesson 2 - Hate Crime
What is Racially Aggravated Harassment and what legislation is used for this?
This could include: attacking, badgering, disturbing, pestering, tormenting etc. Section 50A (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act, 1995 states:-
Note: there needs to be an obvious course of harassment against the victim or victims i.e. more than one incident. The location or type of incidents do not have to be the same.
Lesson 2 - Hate Crime
What is Racially Aggravated Behaviour and what legislation is used for this?
Section 50A (1) (b) of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act, 1995 states:-
A person is guilty of an offence under this Section if they act in a manner which is racially aggravated and which:
- causes, or
- is intended to cause,
a person alarm or distress.
Note: this should be used for incidents that seem to be a “one-off”.
Lesson 2 - Hate Crime
What does it mean if something is racially aggravated?
If immediately:
Before, during or after carrying out the course of conduct or action, the offendor displays towards the person affected by the conduct or action, malice and ill will based on that person’s membership (or presumed membership) of a racial group.
Lesson 2 - Hate Crime
What are statutory aggravations and what legislation can be used against them?
When a crime is made worse by the motivation behind them.
Legislation:
Section 96 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 highlights offences which are wholly or partially racially aggravated.
Section 74 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 for crimes aggravated by religious prejudice.
Section 1 of the Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Act 2009 for crimes aggravated by prejudice based on Disability.
Section 2 of the Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Act 2009 for offences aggravated by sexual orientation or transgender identity.
Lesson 2 - Hate Crime
What evidence is required to prove an aggravation?
Substantive offences - The standard and sufficiency or evidence required to prove such an offence in court is “proof beyond all reasonable doubt” supported by fully corroborated evidence.
Aggravations - “proof on the balance of probabilities”. No requirement for corroboration.
Lesson 2 - Hate Crime
Give some examples of initial actions when attending a suspected Hate Incident/crime.
Lesson 2 - Hate Crime
What are the steps for reporting a Hate Crime?
Establish - the ethnic origin and first language of witnesses and accused. Include in a police report to the Fiscal.
Ensure - any appropriate aggravation is libelled, in particular, highlight aspects of hate motivated behaviour.
Dismised - where there is no evidence to substantiate a hate motive, you must justify and evidence why this is not being libelled.
Assessment - a language interpreter should be offered/arranged on every occassion where the person’s first language is not English. Or where sign language is required. If used, details should be included in the SPR.
Advise/Report - the PF must always be advised as to whether ot not an incident has been reported and recorded as a Hate Crime Incident. This can be done in 2 ways: 1) Under the ISCJIS system. Hate Crime marker field. 2) In the body of the report, further mention should be made of the impact the incident has had on any witnesses.
Libel - the reporting officer should always libel a statutory charge rather than a common law charge where it is appropriate to do so.
Police - officers who suffer hate crime should be treated in the same way as any victim of hate.
Lesson 2 - Hate Crime
Where is Hate Crime Recorded?
Lesson 3 - Missing Persons
What is a Missing Person?
Anyone whose whereabouts is unknown and;
Lesson 3 - Missing Persons
What is a ‘Concern for a Person’ incident?
A person whose whereabouts are known or believed to be known and there are concerns of risk or harm to the individual.
Examples: someone who has left a hospital ward without telling anyone or being discharged.
Lesson 3 - Missing Persons
What are the 3 purposes of the Initial Attending Officer?
1) Investigate
2) Search (the premises e.g. could be hiding in a cupboard or hanging from a loft).
3) Risk Assess
Lesson 3 - Missing Persons
Name some of the Initial Investigative Considerations and Actions.
Lesson 3 - Missing Persons
Describe the 3 categories of Risk.
High - The risk posed is immediate and there are substantial grounds for believing that the MP is in danger through their own vulnerability; or may have been the victim of a serious crime; or the public is in danger.
Medium - The risk posed is likely to place the MP in danger or they are a threat to theselves or others. (but not Immediate).
Low - The apparent threat of danger to either the MP or the public is low.
Lesson 3 - Missing Persons
What are the 3 considerations of Risk?
V.I.P
Vulnerability - including medical or mental health issues and infirmity.
Influences - variety of factors that may have attributed to their going missing e.g. forced marriage, relationship/family/financial issues or domestic abuse.
Past Behaviour - Behaviour that is out of character is often a strong indicator of risk.
Lesson 3 - Missing Persons
What are the benefits of a Missing Person Return Interview?
Lesson 3 - Missing Persons
Should you always let the person who reported them know where they are if they are found safe and well?
No.
Adults - must respect their wishes. If they don’t want the individual to know then can’t tell them anything other than that they are safe and well. E.g. female fleeing from domestic abuse.
Children - Let a parent/guardian know asap.
Lesson 3 - Missing Persons
What should you do if you find a child?
Lesson 3 - Missing Persons
When should an iVPD submission be made?