This news item appeared in the BBC Scotland News today:

Police probe pipe band race abuse

Cumbria police are treating the abuse as a hate crime
Young Scottish musicians say they were subjected to racial abuse during a carnival parade in England.
Cumbria Police confirmed they are investigating the weekend incident and are treating it as a "hate crime".

Members of the Annan Juvenile Pipes and Drums, from Dumfriesshire, said they were targeted while performing at the annual carnival in Aspatria.

They said they were forced to endure anti-Scottish taunts and foul language from a group of teenage girls.

Insp Dave Barr, from Cumbria Police, said members of the pipe band had reported the incident on Saturday.

The people who have been intimidated were obviously being targeted because they were Scottish or dressed in Scottish regalia

Insp Dave Barr

Cumbria Police

"They informed us that during the parade a group of young people - predominantly young girls - made anti-Scottish comments towards them and sang some anti-Scottish songs," he said.

"I understand that water bombs were thrown as well but that is something that we see at most carnivals, to be honest."

He said the police would investigate the incident thoroughly.

"We are treating it as a hate incident because the people who have been intimidated were obviously being targeted because they were Scottish or dressed in Scottish regalia," said Insp Barr.

"That is a prejudice and we treat all of these incidents seriously.

"We do not want people being turned away because they believe they are going to be subjected to this sort of behaviour."