Hate crime figures rise in Essex and Wales

Recent Home Office data reveals an increase in recorded hate crimes across parts of the United Kingdom. In Essex, 3,936 hate crime offences were recorded between March 2025 and March 2026, an increase of 324 compared to the previous year. Race-related hate crimes constituted the majority of these incidents, rising to 2,861. Other increases were noted in religion-related crimes and those linked to sexual orientation, while disability-related offences saw a decrease.

In Wales, police recorded 6,157 hate crimes between April 2025 and March 2026. Racial hostility accounted for approximately two-thirds of these offences, totaling 4,098. The Welsh figures also included 1,107 offences motivated by sexual orientation and 648 disability-related crimes.

Across England and Wales, total recorded hate crimes reached 146,825. Excluding the Metropolitan Police due to recording system changes, recorded hate crime rose by 7% to 123,957 offences. On this basis, racially and religiously motivated offences reached their highest levels since 2012. Specifically, offences targeting Muslims rose by 15% and those targeting Jewish people increased by 10%.