Hate crime complaints to Scottish police on course to outnumber total for other crimes

It comes amid growing criticism of the Scottish Government’s crime policies, which have seen officer numbers fall to their lowest level in 15 years, the introduction of plans to shut 29 police stations and a policy of not investigating offences such as some minor thefts or criminal damage.

Mr Threadgold said that police had to deal with the demand created by the new law but that the public needed clarity over what constituted an offence.

“We now need really clear messaging to the public about their decision-making,” he said.

“If they are making vexatious complaints, or complaints to score political points, they need to understand the impact that will have on our ability to deliver other services. So to the people making these complaints, I would say don’t be surprised if you see your local police station close or never see an officer out on foot in your area.

“Politicians have said the volume has taken them by surprise, but it was inevitable that this legislation would be misused and weaponised. So in that respect they are reaping what they have sown.

“The legislation will clearly age, what happens with it in the future in terms of it remaining on the statute books is a decision for someone else. But it has not had a particularly easy start to life on the statute books in Scotland and there’s been a real impact on policing so far.”

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “While we have seen a substantial increase in the number of online hate crime reports being received since April 1, these have been managed within our contact centres and have not impacted front-line policing.

“Although the challenges facing Police Scotland should not be underestimated, officers continue to provide effective policing to communities across the country.”