Figures from Dorset Police reveal there was a spike in hate crimes after the EU referendum

The figures, in a report to the People and Communities Overview and Scrutiny committee today, Wednesday, reveal there were around three times the number of racially or religiously aggravated crimes reported in July, compared to the months before the referendum.

While there were also increases in other parts of the county, Weymouth and Portland saw the biggest rise outside of the conurbation.

Councillors will be asked to request further reports to prove the increase in hate-related incidents is not an upward trend.

The figures show there were six racially or religiously aggravated crimes reported to police in July and alleged to have occurred in Weymouth and Portland. In April, before the referendum, there were only two and in September, several months after, the figure was once again back down to two.

Weymouth and Portland was not the only area to see a spike. In Purbeck, four racially or religiously aggravated crimes were reported in July, compared to none in April, and none in September.

In West and North Dorset, there was no reported increase in incidents.

Hate-flagged crimes – where the incident is motivated by prejudice based on race, disability, gender, sexuality or religion, but there is no specific offence for it to be recorded as a hate crime – increased to seven incidents in Weymouth and Portland in July, compared to one in April.

In West Dorset there were two reported incidents in July, compared to none in April.

The report provides a commentary on the figures, stating: “The data does indicate an increase in reported hate crime and incidents immediately post the Brexit result that may have been the result of some people feeling it appropriate due to the result to challenge the law.”

The report also criticises the media for reporting on the increase in hate crimes ‘before papers had been prepared for this committee to set the context and narrative’.

It adds: “The number of reported instances of hate crimes are low. However, the headline was unhelpful in not offering the necessary commentary that could have enabled print and online readers’ context and narrative.

“The intention of this report is to allow for an informed debate about the entirety of the data.”

The report concludes: “The county council will need to consider how it can play an effective role in fostering good relations between all the people of Dorset.”

Nathalie Sherring, acting chief officer for the Dorset Race Equality Council, said there was a spike in hate crimes across the whole county after the referendum.

She added: "The figures have now gone back down to what they were before the referendum. Does this mean it is calmer now and it is not happening so much? It is difficult to say because obviously people are not necessarily reporting all instances of discrimination."

She urged any hate crime victims to report incidents, adding that this can be done via third party reporting systems such as councils and the Race Equality Council as well as the police.

Inspector Pete Browning, of Weymouth and Portland police, said: “We always take reports of hate crime extremely seriously and will fully investigate and deal with any incidents robustly. 

“In line with the national picture, Dorset did see a slight increase in reported incidents following the EU referendum. However, it is important to remember that while any incidents of hate crime are unacceptable, the statistics that have been quoted are very low in numbers. I would also like to point out that comparison of such statistics should be like-for-like. To exclude Bournemouth and Poole and only compare Weymouth and Portland with more rural areas in Dorset is always going to provide flawed data. The comparison of incidents reported in July – in one of our busiest tourist seasons – with the quieter months of April and September is also misleading.

“We believe hate crime still remains under-reported and we encourage anyone who may have been a victim to contact police so we can take action and provide support. Dorset Police will respond robustly to any incidents. Tackling hate crime is a priority for the Force and we are working with our communities and partners to eradicate it.”