AN increase in reports of hate crime has been welcomed by Wiltshire Police because it says the figures show victims are more confident in coming forward.

The latest Home Office report, published during Hate Crime Awareness Week, shows a total of 580 hate offences were reported in Wiltshire and Swindon between April 2017 and March 2018 - a four per cent increase on the previous year.

Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson said he was encouraged by the numbers. "They show a steady rise in reporting and that tells me there is greater confidence to come forward.

"The excellent results being achieved in our courts will, I hope, encourage even more victims to report offences, whether directly to the police or via our partner agencies."

Hate crime reporting has seen a significant 86 per cent increase in the county in the last five years - up from 314 in 2012/13.

Wiltshire Police say it is a result of increased public awareness and better identification and recording of hate crime offences.

The county is performing well when hate crime prosecutions reach court. It is the highest performing area nationally for successful convictions brought by the Crown Prosecution Service. It also performs higher than the national average in sentence uplifts - cases where the defendant has been given an increased sentence in recognition that the behaviour was motivated by hate.

"Public education to prevent hate crime is key," said Supt Dave Minty, force lead for hate crime. "For those affected, hate crime is a hugely distressing experience and is completely unacceptable.

"We have 42 hate crime advisors offering local support to hate crime victims. We also want to understand what stops some people coming forward to report to us and are launching a new hate crime victim survey to be better informed."

It is thought many hate crimes go unreported and Wiltshire Police says it wants to hear from more victims of hate incidents or hate crimes, especially during Hate Crime Awareness Week and the national #No2Hate campaign.

In Wiltshire racial hate crime accounts for the vast majority of all reported hate crimes, 76 per cent.

But slight increases in disability, religious and transgender hate crimes have been seen in the last 12 months.

Five areas are currently monitored for offences which the victim considers to be driven by hostility towards their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

But it was announced recently that the Law Commission is to including other protected characteristics as well.

Offences triggered by hate towards old people are being considered as well as misogyny and misandry - prejudice against women or men.

Victims can report hate incidents or hate crime to police on 101 or 999 in an emergency and to agencies like True Vision, Victim Support or Crimestoppers."