Hate and racial crimes are rising steeply across North Ayrshire.

Last week’s police, fire and rescue committee learned that hate crime in the region is up from last year.

Police revealed the number of cases totalled 41 in 2022-23 compared with 29 the previous year and the five-year average (31.8).

Racial crimes have increased considerably and 16 people have been subjected to them. Of these, two have been Syrian, three were Pakistani,  two were Indian, one Chinese, one African and the remainder were either mixed race, English, Scottish and one was a French national.

One repeat victim identified has been subjected to three racial crimes during the first three months of the year.

There are currently no repeat locations identified apart from the home address associated with the repeat victim.

Addressing the increase in racial crime is a priority in North Ayrshire.

Local policing teams and interventions officers visit the victims of such crimes, ensuring appropriate advice and support and providing them with a single point of contact.

Every report of a hate crime attracts additional scrutiny and governance from the local area commander and team to identify patterns of behaviour, repeat victims, locations and to ensure the relentless pursuit of offenders.

During the reporting period, the repeat victim referenced has been targeted by the same perpetrator, who has been arrested on each occasion and the case is being progressed.

No hate crimes have been recorded that feature any Ukrainian or Afghan refugees.

Meanwhile, fraud-type crimes have been rising and this has been exacerbated since the start of the covid pandemic as more people moved their shopping habits online – making them more vulnerable to potential scams and fake sites.

Around half of fraud crimes this year in North Ayrshire have a cyber element, including goods purchased and not received; monies not received for goods sent or WhatsApp-type scams.

Housebreaking crimes are also showing an increase, this is primarily due to crimes where commercial premises have been broken into.

Housebreaking crimes into domestic premises, including non-dwelling domestic premises, have recorded a decrease. There is strict governance around each report of housebreaking, with each crime being subject to review by local detective inspector.

The significant increase in crimes of fraud is replicated nationally within North Ayrshire and a prevention and Interventions officer works closely with the local authority and Trading Standards to raise awareness of these crimes to to help people spot a scam before they suffer any financial loss.

Prevention officers, working with partners, have delivered inputs to 16 events throughout North Ayrshire to support vulnerable members of the community, raise awareness and offer preventative advice on frauds and scams.

Events have taken place within local community groups, resource centres, libraries and at community council meetings.