RECORD levels of hate crime were reported in Wiltshire in the three months following last June’s historic EU referendum, new figures have shown.

The data, released this week, show a total of 134 incidents being reported to Wiltshire Police between July and September – a 38 per cent increase on the previous three month period from April to June.

The figure was the highest recorded number since comparable records began in April 2012.

Angus Macpherson, Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, said while the force had seen a rise, the number still remained low in comparison to other areas.

He added: “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.”

Nationally, the picture is just as shocking as three-quarters of police forces in England and Wales reported a sharp rise in incidents, with 14,295 hate crimes in total – a figure up 27 per cent.

The figures, compiled by the Press Association, provide the first complete picture of hate crime recorded by police in England and Wales following the referendum on June 23.

Since the data was published, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has said the country should prepare for the possibility of further spikes in offences once the Brexit process has begun.

The organisation believes the findings suggest a small number of people used the Brexit vote "to legitimise inexcusable racism and prejudice", while the charity Victim Support said they had supported 16,000 victims of hate crime last year and confirmed a spike in referrals in the immediate aftermath of the referendum.

To report a hate crime, call Wiltshire Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.