Hate Crime reports up 36% in Wiltshire
The Chief Constable says the Force is committed to providing a consistent service to victims
A 36% rise in hate crimes has been recorded across Wiltshire in the last three months.
The increase is mainly linked to crimes related to race and sexual orientation, with Wiltshire Police Chief Constable, Catherine Roper, saying the confidence of people in reporting hate crimes is welcomed.
Writing in her fortnightly open letter to the Police and Crime Commissioner, she says no one should suffer abuse based on their race, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity or disability, insisting the Force takes a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime.
The Chief said Officers remain "completely focused on supporting victims", saying she is "determined" to boost the support hate crime victims receive after reporting offences to police.
She said: "To this end, Chief Inspector Ricky Lee now chairs weekly meetings where he discusses any new hate crime reports which have been made, ensures the right level of scrutiny is being applied to our enquiries and, moreover, that we are providing the best possible service to victims."
Over the last 12 months (October 2024 - September 2025) the Force's commitment to taking hate crime seriously is reflected in it conviction rates that are above the national average.
Across the nation, 85.55% of reports result in a conviction, while that number is 87.29% in Wiltshire.
Satisfaction rates have also dramatically increased between February and August this year, rising from 65.6% to 77.2%. The Chief Constable said: "I hope this reflects our commitment and consistency when investigating hate crime and the increasing trust and confidence our communities have in us."
This week, 11th - 18th October, hate crime is being highlighted in a bid to educate people on what hate crime is and encourage communities affected by hate to work together to tackle the issue.