SIX months on from the landmark Brexit vote, leaders of the Muslim and Polish communities in Trowbridge say the town is more tight-knit than ever, despite a 40% rise in reports of racist hate crimes across the county.

A Wiltshire Times probe found that between June and September, the number of alleged hate crimes in Wiltshire rose to 294 – up from 209 for the same period in 2015.

Numbers peaked in August when there was a 71 per cent increase in racial discrimination. For all four months, Wiltshire Police recorded double digit percentage increases in hate crimes every time.

But in Trowbridge the Muslim and Polish communities say the ‘Brexit backlash’ has passed them by, because people living here make an effort to get involved with the life of the town.

Kamel Jeddi, a trustee of Trowbridge Mosque, said: “On the whole the Trowbridge Islamic community has not really been on the receiving end of any discrimination following on from Brexit, which shows that we are a valued and well integrated part of the Trowbridge community.

“I believe the majority of the people here accept each other regardless of their skin colour or background. If you contribute to the town then you are an important contributor to the area and we do that.

“At the mosque we have had no direct complaints of hate crimes and we have actually had support from locals if anything has happened nationally. I am a great believer in integration and Trowbridge has a well-integrated community.

“Many of us really like Trowbridge and we feel we are moving towards a better and brighter future, with a more diverse and multicultural set-up, which is very good news – we are going in the right direction.”

Kate Basinska, who helps run the Polish Saturday School for over 130 families in Trowbridge, echoed Mr Jeddi’s views and said they too have not been subject to any racial discrimination as a result of Brexit.

“I cannot speak for everyone, but we feel very much part of the make-up of the town and have not noticed any discrimination – and the parents at the school agree with me,” she said.

“Our lives have not changed as a result of leaving the EU. We have only heard about it on the TV across the country but not here.”

Inspector James Brain of Wiltshire Police said the force took reports of hate crime very seriously.

“We actively monitor the number of hate crimes reported across Wiltshire, taking every opportunity to identify offenders, seek ways to prevent crimes of this nature and provide reassurance to our local communities,” he said.

“These figures show a rise in the number of hate crimes reported to Wiltshire Police immediately after the referendum, followed by a sharp fall in September of 29% from 82 to 58 incidents.

“Although at first these figures may seem alarming, hate crime remains to be a very small proportion of the crime reported to us.

“Having said that, we will not be complacent and will continue to take all reports seriously and conduct extensive investigations into each incident in a bid to ensure the public feel safe living, working and socialising in Wiltshire.

“If anyone feels they have been a victim of hate crime, they are encouraged to call police on 101. In an emergency dial 999. We have specially trained Hate Crime Advisors who are made up of police officers and staff, who are available to offer support and advice to victims should they require it.”