More than 3,000 hate crimes and incidents were reported to police from 16-30 June this year, a 42% increase on the same period in 2015, National Police Chiefs’ Council figures show.
It comes amid reports of what David Cameron called “despicable” hate crimes after the EU referendum on 23 June.
The BBC reports that at the peak on 25 June, 289 hate crimes and incidents were reported across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the “sharp rise” was unacceptable.
“It undermines the diversity and tolerance we should instead be celebrating,” he said. “Everyone has the right to feel safe and confident about who they are and should not be made to feel vulnerable or at risk. The police service has no tolerance for this type of abuse but we need to be made aware that these crimes are taking place so that we can investigate.”
In total, there were 3,076 reported hate crimes and incidents in the second half of June, compared to 2,161 in the same period in 2015 – an increase of 915.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council said the main type of offence reported over the fortnight was “violence against the person”, which includes harassment and common assault, as well as verbal abuse, spitting and “barging”.
The second and third most prevalent incidents were public order offences and criminal damage.
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It is unclear if the rise is due to the Brexit campaign and vote, which some commentators have claimed was a referendum on immigration. Some analysts claim that the Brexit vote has emboldened racists and fascists.
Meanwhile, counter-terrorism officers are investigating five incidents in which white powder was sent to Muslim centres, mosques and government buildings in London.
One of the recipients was Muslim peer Lord Ahmed, who was sent hate mail along with white powder, causing a security alert at Parliament.
Scotland Yard has said three of the packages, all of which arrived on Thursday, were found to be “not noxious or suspicious”.
