THE number of racist crimes reported in Cheshire rose by more than 20 per cent in 2016-17.

A total of 660 racially or religiously aggravated incidents were recorded by Cheshire Police over the year – compared to 535 in 2015-16, 530 in 2014-15 and 526 in 2013-14.

The majority of these were incidents of racially or religiously aggravated public fear, alarm or distress. There were 561 incidents of this kind reported in 2016-17, compared to 422 in 2015-16, 427 in 2014-15 and 409 in 2013-14.

Meanwhile, almost twice as many incidents were recorded in the second quarter of the year – in July, August and September – than at any other time in 2016-17.

Police forces around the country posted a similar rise in hate crime levels following the EU referendum in June 2016, prompting charity Stop Hate UK to highlight Brexit’s ‘undeniable effect‘ on hate crime across the country.

But Cheshire Police is refusing to connect the spike to the divisive referendum – suggesting instead that the figures could represent increased confidence in police forces, increased awareness of hate crimes and online reporting.

Deputy Chief Constable Janette McCormick said: “Any form of hate crime is not acceptable and will not be tolerated in Cheshire.

“We want people to feel safe and feel they can go about their business, no matter who they are, without fear of violence or threat.

“It is recognised nationally that hate crime is under reported, so it is encouraging to see that more people in Cheshire are coming forward each year to report it.

“We want people to be confident in coming forward if they are a victim of hate crime and feel reassured that we will do everything we can in supporting them through the process.”