THE reporting of hate crime in the Borders has fallen by 65 per cent, according to latest figures.

Statistics show that between July and October, police were made aware of 16 incidents – down from 46 on the same period last year.

Speaking at Friday’s Police, Fire and Safer Communities Board meeting, Chief Inspector Andy McLean said: “This is really a double-edged sword. As I always say in these meetings, it’s really difficult to tell whether the drop is a positive thing or a negative thing.

“You have to ask yourself, is is because there is no hate crime happening? I’d like to think so; but you have also got to ask yourself whether it isn’t getting reported by people. We are trying to encourage more people to come forward to report these crimes.

“We do have sites set up so people can report these crimes to someone who isn’t a police officer.

“These are good for people who come from countries where they might feel they can’t trust the police.”

Police also carried out several events in October during diversity week to raise awareness.

Councillor Donald Moffat (SNP) said: “I see the sites as a positive thing. A lot of people, from the likes of the Soviet Union won’t speak to police officers because of the amount of corruption [in their native country].

“But I think when people have been here a little while, after a year or two, I think they will open up. 

“I think there are a lot of positives here in the Borders. Over a third of my constituents have come from the English side of the Border and they have nothing but praise.

“They say they feel safer here and more protected from these sorts of crimes than in some of the big towns and cities they are from.

“Although they might not see a police officer around all the time, they know that there will be one there if they need one.”