Newly released data from Thames Valley Police shows recorded religious hate crime offences rose by more than a third (36 per cent) in the last year, with 409 incidents logged between July 2025 and June 2026, up from 300 the year before. "This increase in reported hate crime is deeply concerning, and I encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses it to report it to the Police." Responding to the latest figures, Thames Valley Police said the rise may partly reflect greater confidence among victims and witnesses in reporting offences. A force spokesperson said: "We recognise that the number of religiously motivated hate crime offences recorded across the Thames Valley has increased over the last year. The figures have been published against a backdrop of wider national concern around community tensions, hate crime and extremism.