Religious hate crimes have been reported to Tayside Police at an average rate of one each month since the start of 2009, according to new figures released by the force.
Although the number of offences with a sectarian element fell from 13 in 2009 to eight last year, seven have already been recorded in the region so far in 2011.
One of the most recent cases involved a 15-year-old in an aggravated breach of the peace.
The figures released in response to a freedom of information request show that sectarian aggravation was most commonly associated with crimes of breach of the peace 10 in 2009, five last year and the same number so far this year.
However, the religious hate element also appeared in connection with offences of racially aggravated conduct, petty assault, vandalism and sending offensive phone messages.
The Tayside figures have been released as the new Scottish Government declares its determination to tackle sectarianism.
Perthshire South and Kinross-shire MSP Roseanna Cunningham has been given specific responsibility for dealing with the problem in her role as minister for community safety and legal affairs, while proposals for new anti-sectarian legislation are expected to be presented to the cabinet today by Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland.
It is understood that the new laws would introduce harsher penalties for religious hate crimes, with anyone causing sectarian disruption at football matches or posting bigoted messages online facing up to five years in prison.
The issue has been thrust to the fore at the end of a football season which has seen two men appear in court accused of sending suspected bombs to Celtic manager Neil Lennon and two other high-profile supporters of the club, and another man charged with breach of the peace and assault, both aggravated by religious prejudice, after an alleged attack on Mr Lennon earlier this month.
A suspect package containing a knife was also delivered to the Cowdenbeath FC chairman Donald Findlay QC, amid concerns that he may have been targeted as a former vice-chairman of Rangers.
Tayside Chief Constable Justine Curran has gone on the record to stress the commitment of Scottish police forces in stamping out sectarianism.
“Hate crime divides our communities and has a devastating effect on victims, their family members and the wider community,” she said.