Victims urged to report hate crimes at a sex shop and caravan park

A sex shop, a mushroom farm and a bus station are among hundreds of sites where the public will be able to report hate crimes in Scotland under a controversial new law.

Police Scotland has designated 411 locations as “third-party reporting centres”. Most are in community buildings such as council offices, libraries and housing associations.

The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, piloted through parliament by Humza Yousaf during his time as justice secretary, was passed by MSPs before the last Holyrood elections, in 2021. It is due to take effect from April 1, after significant delays.

The legislation makes it illegal to stir up hatred against protected characteristics, such as age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. But concerns remain over