HATE crime in Dorset is at the highest level since recording of the offence began after a post-Brexit spike in reports, new figures suggest.

Between July and September 2016, 104 reports of hate crimes were received by Dorset Police.

The number represented a rise of 100 per cent when compared with April to June 2016.

A referendum to leave the EU took place on June 23 last year.

Dorset's results are the highest quarterly figure since comparable records began in April 2012.

And the county saw the biggest increase. Across England and Wales the rise was 27 per cent.

The force's hate crime lead, Superintendent Nicole Searle, 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 moderate increase in reported incidents of hate crime following the EU referendum.

"However, overall numbers remain relatively low compared to other parts of the country.

"We welcome the increased confidence to report as a result of our ongoing efforts to encourage victims to come forward, and in light of the national situation which has raised the profile of such crimes.

"The trend of victims having the trust and confidence to report crimes to us is a testament to consistent efforts made by the force to reassure victims that Dorset Police will never tolerate hate crime, victims will be supported and offenders brought to justice where possible.

"We work in close partnership with other statutory and voluntary organisations and groups as part of Prejudice Free Dorset, to target all prejudice and hate-related incidents and crimes across the county."

In January this year, the Daily Echo revealed that reports of hate crime have almost doubled in Bournemouth.

The figures, which were presented in a report to the council's community overview and scrutiny panel, revealed a 42 per cent increase in the number of racially or religiously aggravated crimes reported - from 64 to 91 crimes reported between April and September 2016.

Representatives from Bournemouth Community Safety Partnership have included the offence to its list of priorities for 2017/18.

Supt Searle urged anyone who has experienced or witnessed hate crime to report it to Dorset Police or the True Vision website, report-it.org.uk