Standing with our communities against hate

As we mark the beginning of Hate Crime Awareness Week, I find myself reflecting on the challenges our communities are living through. Across the country, emotions are running high and we are witnessing a rise in tension. Not just on our streets, but in the conversations we have, the way we see each other, and the sense of safety people feel in their daily lives.

The incident outside the synagogue in Manchester has been a sobering reminder of how quickly fear and hostility can surface, and how deeply it can wound a community. For many, it has stirred painful memories and renewed a sense of vulnerability. My thoughts are with those affected, as well as with the wider Jewish community, who deserve to feel safe and supported.

The latest ONS data shows that Wiltshire and Swindon has seen a small 1% decrease in reported hate crimes compared to the rest of the south west, which has seen increased reports. We also have the lowest number of hate crime reports in our region for the year ending March 2025.

As I regularly say, statistics don’t tell all the story and whilst I hope these figures paint the picture of a county which is respectful and tolerant, we must also recognise that prejudice and hate do not exist in isolation. They fester when left unchallenged, and they hurt not only individuals but the fabric of society itself. I believe in the values of open and honest conversations where views can and should be examined and probed.

In such an environment, the role of policing becomes especially important, and especially difficult. Officers are often required to make decisions at speed, under the weight of uncertainty, and in situations where the wrong step can inflame already heightened emotions.

The truth is that policing is not simply about enforcing the law. It is about exercising judgement and knowing when to step forward firmly or when to step back carefully so not to escalate delicate situations. These are human decisions, and they are rarely straightforward.

What matters most is that they are made with sensitivity. The measure of good policing is not only in preventing harm but in how trust is built and sustained, especially when circumstances are fraught.

I have huge respect for the officers who step into these situations, knowing that whatever they decide will be scrutinised, and knowing that even the right decision can sometimes be unpopular. What matters is that those decisions are made with care, with fairness, and with a genuine understanding of how communities are feeling. Because when people are already anxious or vulnerable, the way the police respond can make all the difference. It can either help build reassurance and trust, or deepen fear and division.

Hate Crime Awareness Week is a chance to pause and ask ourselves what kind of community we want to be. Do we challenge prejudice when we see it? Do we stand alongside those who feel targeted? Do we make the effort to understand experiences that may be very different from our own? Do we have the confidence to compromise when confronted by views we find offensive, but which are not inspired by hate and do not encourage violence? Freedom only to speak inoffensively is not freedom at all.

The police have a key role to play, and I will continue to hold them to high standards of judgement, sensitivity, and fairness. But each of us also has a part in making Wiltshire, and the wider country, a place where hate has no place to grow.