ROBERT Buckland says he is "committed to stamping out" hate crime in Swindon.

The South Swindon MP and Justice Secretary told the Adver it is a subject that has long concerned him.

He said: “It has absolutely no place in our society and during my time as Solicitor General I helped push forward greater use of powers to increase sentences for offences with a hate element.

“The UK has a robust legislative framework to respond to hate crime. We are clear that the cowards who commit these hateful attacks should feel the full force of the law.”

He said the Government’s Hate Crime Action Plan has improved the response to all forms of hate crime across the country.

READ MORE: Purton schoolteacher stresses importance to educate children about diversity

He added: “The refresh publication ensures a renewed commitment that victims remain at the heart of our work.

“As part of the refresh, the government has committed additional funding to continue to protect places of worship alongside just over £1.5 million for projects to tackle racially and religiously motivated hatred through the Challenging Hate Crime Support Group and our Working Groups to Tackle Antisemitism and Anti-Muslim Hatred, among other important initiatives.

“We also asked the Law Commission to undertake a review of the coverage and approach of current hate crime legislative provisions and launched a wide-ranging national hate crime public awareness campaign to publicly address hate crime and re-establish boundaries.

“Any hate crime is completely unacceptable and along with the government, I am committed to stamping it out.”

Official figures have revealed that 105,090 hate crimes were recorded in 2019-20, an eight per cent increase on 2018-19.

To report a hate crime call Wiltshire Police on 101 or 999, or Crimestoppers or True Vision.