The sectarian crime stats they forgot to destroy

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I’ve just caught Joe O’Rourke’s article on the Association site about the long-awaited released of statistics on sectarian crime in Scotland.  Joe suggests that the data from 2003 – 2010 was has been destroyed by the Crown Office.  I also hear that the Scottish Government will release entirely irrelevant ‘information’ today, specifically, where offences took place, not which groups were responsible or which groups were targeted by the offenders.

It takes a lot of effort to make sure you destroy data these days, you need to ensure not only that prosecutors permanently delete backups (which I really doubt they do) but also that the police similarly comply.

Fortunately all is not lost.  While it’s just about believable that regional police forces across Scotland and the Crown Office have acted in symmetry on this issue, I could have helped the First Minister, Alex Salmond’s, search for clarity by pointing him in the direction of British Transport Police (BTP).  The Transport Police are a separate force who operate across Britain and are run by the Home Office in London.  They are also a lot less proficient at destroying data.

They previously gave me detailed statistics on all incidents they record in connection with Scottish football for season 2007-08.  One of the most pleasing aspects of the information is the complete eradication of sectarian offences from all but one Scottish club, so the First Minister will be delighted to learn he has a smaller problem on his hands than he perhaps knew.  According to BTP, 11 arrests were made for sectarian offences in total, 10 Rangers fans and one Northern Ireland fan.

You can see the detail figures for all recorded incidents here (the majority of which are for non-sectarian issues).  From a total of 99 incidents (not all of which resulted in arrest), there were six involving Celtic fans, six for Dundee United, seven for Motherwell, four for Hibernian and five each for Aberdeen and Hearts.  Rangers fans were involved in a total of 48 incidents.

The BPT figures also make it clear that most incidents occur when fans travel to away venues.  The Force also confirmed that incidents surrounding the 2008 Uefa Cup final in Manchester were not included in these statistics.

To further aid Mr Salmond in his search for clarity on this issue, he can contact British Transport Police with a Freedom of Information request here, where they will be able to provide him (or you) with up to date stats.

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1,261 Comments

  1. Palacio67

     

     

    I would say they are years behind, and by that I mean they didn’t see the need to go OTT, the way things were years ago were fine, they have refined a system that worked, the brits are all about regs that really don’t work, the best example of brit regs out of control for me was when I was rewiring council houses in the Falkirk area, different clerk of works would interprate the regs in their own way, we had one who insisted we ran an earth wire to every window in the house, just in case the householder was watching a thunder storm at the window, and if their hand was on the window a strike of lightning could come down and hit the window frame and they would be safe, FFS, I had to put up with crap like that for years, and could you say anything……

     

     

    Aye the outside stuff is easy pickings in the towns, mostly free for the majority, just hook up nobody any the wiser :>)

  2. bournesouprecipe

     

     

    Thx m8.

     

     

    The Scum obviously trying to Divide us.

     

     

    PJBhoynyc link midweek was very important IMO. gallagher had mentioned earlier that the GB had declined McBrides offer…

     

     

    I think there is far too much truth on this site. ;) :)

     

     

    And the establishment Co**roaches don’t like it.

  3. Neil Lennon Is A Celtic Soul Brother on

    BABASONICOS71 says:

     

    18 November, 2011 at 23:47

     

     

    Didn’t realise that TFC had recorded that-knew the Manics had done it and loved the original version by Camper Van Beethoven(Great band Name btw!)

     

     

    Loved the Beagle’s Drum on the Beta Band song.

     

     

     

    Here’s a great pop song from 1971 by Marmalade.

     

     

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt0zFwINDjk

  4. TET

     

    We are living in scary times.

     

    CFC Directors don’t feel it because they live in a differrent world to us

     

    but day to day there is a gradual

     

    attack on our club and our community.

     

    Soon playing rebel cds will become an illegal activity with

     

    neighbours reporting us to the authorities.

     

    Let the people sing.

  5. A wee ramble like a rabbit through the brambles…

     

     

    It strikes me that, historically, the progress of society is based upon the reaction to error, rather than a comfortable evolution. The reaction acts like a pendulum… swinging to extremes until the gravity of populism drags it to a percieved equilibrium. This equilibrium at any point in time is perceived to be the norm, but the pendulum swings again, and can land at a different point.

     

     

    From feudalism, it swung through through unions to marxism, to the bastardisation of marxist theory that was the Soviet Union. A state that was as authoritarian as an Fascist/Nazi state – the circle had closed.

     

     

    The pendulum swung back, to what most believed was the triumph of capitalism… until 2008

     

     

    History is a series of nudges… and the pendulum is swinging again

  6. They have set a tough task for tonight’s bush tucker trial. A Kangaroo has to eat one of Fatima Whitbred’s testicles!

  7. G64

     

     

    A few weeks ago I said that Celtic were akin to a Jewish team playing in Nazi Germany, only 1 poster had a problem with that, I’m sure many lurkers did, but only one voiced there concern, that told me something, and there were a couple of nordie bhoys who agreed, that also told me something, this is an ongoing fight, in a way I am glad I am not involved too old for the front line any more, but I will do my bit by e-mailing and writing to the powers letting them know that we will not be taken for shite any more.

     

     

    Unity mi amigo is what’s required, united we stand, divided we fall.

     

     

    Bed time now, I have been summond, and I wish….

     

    HH

     

    KTF

  8. petec says:

     

    19 November, 2011 at 00:02

     

     

    I’m one of Neil’s biggest supporters but I cannot understand why he gave an interview to The Sun. Maybe he thought it was for the greater good of the club.

  9. Neil Lennon Is A Celtic Soul Brother on

    no, I’M Neil Lennon “i’ll never walk alone” (fourstonecoppi ) says:

     

    19 November, 2011 at 00:02

     

     

    Know “Chains” which is a great song-never knew that one but like the sound of it.

     

     

    Definitely the last one from me.

     

     

    Check out the Celtic Scarf on the bed!

     

     

    Night all!

     

     

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmbUNF1Q4R8&ob=av2e

  10. THE EXILED TIM says:

     

    18 November, 2011 at 23:55

     

    ====================

     

     

    Quite agree, I remember arguing with the tutor at the 16th edition regs about the window frames, told him I would never do it, as imo it created a hazard that was avoidable without Earthing. The whole thinga a mess here as well, I am doing a lot of new supplies from overhead supplies at the likes of scottish power, scottish and southern are offering an earth from the neutral at the cutout. Giving you a PME from TT. Crazy.

     

    HH

  11. petec

     

     

    Paul67 made the self same point from the instant this blew up, and we have fans with some justification lauding voices such as Michael Kelly.

     

     

    Why do we not have an employed skillful orator that challenges the scandalous continual attempt at bad publicity towards Celtic?

     

     

    What does Peter Lawell say?

     

     

    Who wrote today’s excellent analysis of the police statistics?

     

     

    When does Ian Bankier speak?

     

     

    West Wales Celt

     

     

    Good post, even though I don’t necessarily agree with all of it, your words illustrate we lack support for the supporters.

  12. West Wales Celt

     

     

    Lumping Neil Lennon in with the Scottish establishment on this particular issue makes my blood boil. By all means disagree with his standpoint but mention him in the same sentence as the body corporate and the Scottish establishment makes me mad as hell. Before you spend one second judging him, think about moving you family out of your home on a regular basis, attacked in the street and at your place of work.

     

     

    Neil Lennon is better placed to pass comment on this than you’ll ever be. I’m Neil Lennon and I’ll always be, he’s a giant of a man who will

  13. Always be a Celtic great because of the way he has conducted himself the last couple of years. A legend already regardless of where we finish this season

  14. BSR

     

     

    We could have the combined talents of Bill Clinton,Tim Bell and Charles and Maurice Saatchi…….and still get a keeeeeeeech media reception in scotland………….It’s not about the PR.

     

     

    …..and no matter who the CEO, MD or whoever is……….it wont make a difference in scotland.

     

     

    HH

  15. I’m Scottish and proud and if if i want i can declare

     

    my support and allegience to the Irish Republic.

     

    James Connolly was a Scottish and Irish hero.

     

    Waiting for the knock on the door.

  16. celtic40me

     

     

    I admire your defence of the brave Neil. A man that no matter how this turns out should remain a hero at Celtic, with unblemished character.

     

     

    I think some fans will disagree with the club placing him in the position of spokesman? – when he’s after all a training ground coach.

  17. WAC

     

     

    Neil is wrong to wade headlong into this debate and his actions, whilst they may well have the best interests of the club at heart, they will not, in my humble opinion, serve the best interests of the club. Neil’s words give succour to those who would divide the Celtic support

     

    —————————————————–

     

     

    From scanning many message boards Neil probably speaks for 95% of the Celtic support. Any division is not coming from him, or giving succour to them, it is coming from within.

     

     

    Watching Ssn tonight I heard our manger on a sports news station talking about the IRA. It’s just wrong. Ludicrus. Times have changed.

     

     

    Don’t stand in the doorway or block up the hall.

  18. I refuse to believe the deliberate, racist, antiCatholic ‘Hun’ cop angle anymore.

     

     

    Maybe there are a few at PC and junior management level, but to be honest, I have had very detailed dealings with the cops over the last few months, in one of the most ‘Loyal’ parts of Scotland.

     

     

    They have been magic, at one stage in the investigation they asked me about enemies and football, gambling, women (I had to be discounted from the investigation) etc., for me blank page, they have to do it.

     

     

    They know who the scum are – and it aint random Catholics, or Celtic IMO.

     

     

    This crazy phenomena is simply the death throes of the DR etc.

  19. West Wales Celt says:

     

    18 November, 2011 at 23:47

     

     

    Our songs are not racist, our songs are not sectarian, I agree.

     

     

    I’ve sung them. However, lookin back, I’ve analysed why I’ve sung them… and the conclusions I’ve come to aren’t pretty. I know people from the six counties who’ve been caught up in the struggle, as have others here. To superimpose their experiences into a fan block doesn’t work for me any more. Either you’ve been there and done it – in which case you’re more likely to sing the songs amongst comrades – or you’ve not, in which case you’re a pretender.

     

     

    Sorry to sound brutal, and I don’t mean to insult you, but the likes of ‘ooh ah up the ra’ gets on my mams big time

  20. bankiebhoy1

     

     

    Accuracy, in what you say as usual.

     

     

    But, the rank and file lapping up Michael Kelly shows a void.

     

     

    With respect to the major shareholder what do Celtic fans know of his opinion on the attack

     

    you, me and Joe Celtic know we are under?

     

     

    I pick him merely as an example