A RECORD number of hate crimes were recorded in Wiltshire in the three after the Brexit referendum.

A total of 134 offences were recorded as hate crimes between July and September 2016 in Wiltshire, up almost two fifths (38 per cent) on the previous quarter.

This was the highest quarterly figure since records began in 2012.

Overall, a record 14,295 hate crimes were reported in England and Wales in the same period, up more than a quarter (27 per cent) on the previous three months.

Angus Macpherson, Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, said: “We did see a brief spike in hate crimes last summer, but it is important to say that it was from a very low base.

“I am pleased to note that the number of incidents dropped back after the summer.

“One of the top priorities in my new Police and Crime Plan is to protect the most vulnerable people in society because they are at the greatest risk of becoming victims of crime.

“I chair the Wiltshire and Swindon Hate Crime Group which brings together a number of agencies as well as community leaders. As a group we are keen to encourage victims of hate crime to report any incidents to Wiltshire Police because we feel sure such incidents are under-reported. That will give us a true picture of the situation.

“The Force has recently set up an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team which is seeking to improve engagement with our communities. We recently hosted a regional conference of the Black Police Association which a number of community leaders attended and found very helpful.

“The Chief Constable and I spoke at the conference and I know he wants to embrace diversity and that he values the difference such an approach can make.

“A number of police officers and PCSOs have volunteered to become hate crime advisors on top of their normal duties and they are being trained to support families and individuals who become victims of hate crimes.”