Wiltshire Police is urging anyone who has experienced or witnessed a hate crime to report it, as new figures show offences recorded across the county have increased by 6.2% over the past year.
The force recorded 1,038 hate crimes between October 2025 and September 2026, an increase of 61 offences compared with the previous 12 months.
Reports were particularly high during July and August this year, when 302 hate crimes were recorded. Race was the most commonly reported motivation, followed by sexual orientation.
Wiltshire Police said the increase reflects a combination of heightened national tensions and greater public awareness and confidence in reporting offences. Similar rises have been recorded nationally in hate crimes motivated by race and sexual orientation.
Reported hate crime increased in several areas, including Swindon, Salisbury, Devizes and Warminster. However, some areas, including Chippenham, Royal Wootton Bassett, Amesbury and Trowbridge, recorded fewer reports than in the previous year.
The figures have been released as Wiltshire Police supports National Hate Crime Awareness Week, which runs from 10th to 17th October. The annual campaign aims to raise awareness of crimes motivated by hostility or prejudice towards a person's race, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity or disability.
Chief Inspector Leighton Williams, Hate Crime Lead for Wiltshire Police, said everyone should be able to go about their daily lives without fear of being targeted because of who they are.
He said the rise in reports was concerning, but could also indicate that more people felt confident coming forward and understood that hate crime was unacceptable.
He added that behind every report was someone who might have been left frightened, distressed or traumatised, with the effects often extending to their families and the wider community.
National Hate Crime Awareness Week, he said, was an opportunity to remind people that support was available and that police wanted to hear from anyone who had experienced or witnessed an incident.
Wiltshire Police said it continued to work with partner organisations and community groups to support victims, encourage reporting and hold offenders to account.
Anyone who has experienced or witnessed a hate crime can report it to Wiltshire Police online or by calling 101. In an emergency, call 999. Reports can also be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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