FOLLOWING an increase in reported hate crime nationally since the EU referendum, residents in Wiltshire are being asked to report any experience or incidents of this illegal behaviour.

A hate crime is behaviour of hostility, prejudice or hatred of others against them or their property because of their race, religion, gender, sexuality or disability.

Wiltshire’s Public Services Board, made up of a number of local organisations, is committed to ensuring that Wiltshire is a safe place to live for all communities and is urging people to report anything they consider as unacceptable.

This can be done by calling 101 or, if someone feels they are in immediate danger, 999.

Alternatively they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org or via the hate crime reporting site True Vision at report-it.org.uk

Baroness Scott of Bybrook, OBE, chair of the public services board said: “Hate crimes of any kind are not tolerated. In Wiltshire we have strong communities and don’t want that strength diminished by the acts of a few who feel the need to attack, belittle and scare others.

“I would urge anyone who sees this happening to report it immediately so we can eradicate this behaviour in our county.

“We will continue to work together to reduce the harm caused by this cruel crime.”

The Wiltshire and Swindon Hate Crime Working Group, Wiltshire Council, Wiltshire Police, Swindon Borough Council and a host of other organisations and agencies have produced a strategy and are working closely together to ensure that this issue does not become prevalent in the county.

A spokesperson for Wiltshire Council said: “Wiltshire is an inclusive county and welcomes diversity and although current levels of hate crime are low in the county compared to national figures, there have been 232 cases reported in Wiltshire in the last 12 months.”