https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/police-cannot-cope-flood-hate-32540154
The chair of the Scottish Police Federation David Threadgold has said that officers "cannot cope" with the number of complaints under the SNP's new hate crime law.
Speaking on Radio 4's Today programme, he warned that law is being "weaponised" by those who make complaints for "personal gain or political point scoring". He added: "People will use this legislation for their own means and that is not an effective use of police time."
Mr Threadgold said: "The confusion that exists because of the interpretation by people who look at this new legislation through their own viewpoints creates confusion for police officers in Scotland who are trying to deliver this law."
About 8,000 complaints were made in the first week of the legislation, with Mr Threadgold describing the numbers as "simply unmanageable". And looking ahead, he said that each case could take up "months and months before it ever sees the inside of a courtroom, so all of that time whoever has been accused has that hanging over them".
The chair of the Scottish Police Federation David Threadgold has said that officers "cannot cope" with the number of complaints under the SNP's new hate crime law.
Speaking on Radio 4's Today programme, he warned that law is being "weaponised" by those who make complaints for "personal gain or political point scoring". He added: "People will use this legislation for their own means and that is not an effective use of police time."
Mr Threadgold said: "The confusion that exists because of the interpretation by people who look at this new legislation through their own viewpoints creates confusion for police officers in Scotland who are trying to deliver this law."
About 8,000 complaints were made in the first week of the legislation, with Mr Threadgold describing the numbers as "simply unmanageable". And looking ahead, he said that each case could take up "months and months before it ever sees the inside of a courtroom, so all of that time whoever has been accused has that hanging over them".
