People in South Ayrshire are being urged to help eradicate hate crime as National Hate Crime Awareness Week got underway last week.

South Ayrshire residents are being asking to report any acts they witness as many incidents were found to be unreported to police in the last year.

The Scottish Government and Police Scotland launched the campaign after research found that only 43% of people would report online bullying due to someone’s religion and 54% of people would report intimidating or humiliating behaviour towards a transgender person or racially motivated verbal abuse or name calling.

Councillor Douglas Campbell, Leader of South Ayrshire Council Leader said: “Hate crime should play no part in our day-to-day lives and we all have a personal responsibility to call out unacceptable behaviour when we see it.

“We’re committed to doing everything we can to reduce poverty and disadvantage in South Ayrshire and I wholeheartedly support this national campaign to make people stop and think about what they say and do.

“I’d urge anyone who is aware of issues in their own community to report these to the Police and help them to tackle this issue head-on.”

South Ayrshire Police recently opened up third party reporting centres in Riverside House in Ayr, Housing Options & Support on Kyle Street, Ayr, Carrick Housing Management Team on Knockcushan Street, Girvan, and Kyle Housing Management Team at the Municipal Buildings on South Beach, Troon.

PC Mark Wason of Ayr Police Station said: “I am delighted that we are able to extend our third party reporting centres across South Ayrshire. We trained around 50 members of staff on identifying and supporting victims of hate crime.

“This will assist victims or witnesses to submit a report to the police and through the council’s positive engagement with our communities it will provide people with increased confidence and opportunities to report hate crimes.”