Only 22 people pass through anti-sectarianism scheme

A mere 22 football fans charged under the offensive behaviour legislation have been through the Scottish government’s scheme to deal with sectarian attitudes.

Legal affairs minister Annabelle Ewing revealed the figures following a parliamentary question.

The Safeguarding Communities, Reducing Offending (Sacro) scheme took £60,000 from ministers in 2015 to keep those aged 12-24 charged with sectarian offences out of the court system.

Figures for 2015-16 show that there have been over 200 criminal prosecutions under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012, with more than 1,000 charges actually being brought.

And of the 34 sent to Sacro’s scheme, only 22 have completed it.

The Scottish Liberal Democrats’ Liam McArthur MSP said the figures were a cause for concern and that ministers should work with the Crown Office to ensure the resources are properly utilised.

He said: “Sacro’s diversion-from-prosecution scheme is something that has the potential to make a big difference.

“The fact that uptake is so low is therefore a concern.

“The Scottish government has provided funding, but more needs to be done to ensure that the Crown Office are making use of the programme when this is the best option.

“Unless action is taken, SNP ministers leave themselves open to the charge of having no interest in genuinely addressing the huge flaws in the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act (OBFA) or supporting schemes that help keep people out of court.”

Ms Ewing said she would meet with the Lord Advocate, James Wolffe QC, to discuss the problem.

She said: “Decisions to refer an accused to a diversion scheme are taken by prosecutors after full consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case reported by the police.

“The Scottish government-supported Sacro anti-sectarian services (SASS) diversion-from-prosecution programme was developed in late 2013 and began working with referrals in May 2014.

“The service is open to a wide range of organisations to make referrals although participation is voluntary, and if the client decides against participation the matter is returned to the referring body.”