POLICE chiefs have said tackling hate crime is an "absolute priority" across Scotland.

Speaking at the launch of national hate crime awareness week, Chief Constable Phil Gormley said incidents have to be reported as they have "no place in our communities".

Chief Constable Phil Gormley said: "Tackling all forms of Hate Crime remains an absolute priority for Police Scotland. Every incident has a significant impact on the victim, their family and wider communities. 

"Police Scotland continues to work closely with our criminal justice partners to do everything in our power to protect all communities and eradicate all forms of hatred.

"We cannot, however, do this on our own, and I am asking the people of Scotland to continue to work with us to ensure every incident is reported to the police. 

"We recognise that Hate Crime often goes unreported, and there are many reasons why people don’t come forward and raise their concerns, but we must work together to ensure Hate Crime has no place in our communities," he added.

"We live in a diverse and welcoming country, where for the majority, diversity is something to be celebrated, so if you or someone you know is being targeted and treated unfairly due to their disability, sexuality, race, religion or sexual orientation, then do something about it and tell someone. 

"This doesn’t have to be a police officer, and we work closely with a wide variety of partner agencies, charities and community groups to offer ways in which victims or witnesses can raise a concern and get the information to the play via a third party."