Thousands of hate crime arrests and convictions have been logged across Somerset since 2015, with police and courts warning of a rising tide of hostility targeting race, sexuality, gender identity, religion and disability.

Hate crime data released by Avon and Somerset Police and the courts shows a sharp increase in reported offences and police action across the region. The justice system has dealt with nearly 5,000 guilty verdicts for hate‑related crimes since 2015.

Convictions hit record highs

Between 2015 and mid‑2025, Somerset's magistrates' courts returned 4,882 guilty verdicts for hate crimes. Racially aggravated offences made up nearly half of all convictions, with:

• 2,288 race‑related convictions
• 1,563 for hate‑fuelled domestic abuse
• 403 homophobic convictions
• 174 for attacks on police officers
• 61 for anti‑Muslim abuse
• 29 transphobic convictions

In 2015, there were just 44 hate crime convictions. By 2023 and 2024, the annual total had surged past 700 — the worst years on record in Somerset's courts.

But many hate incidents never reach court. Police logged 15,061 arrests and voluntary interviews linked to hate‑related offences between 2015 and mid‑2025.

Most common triggers included:

• 7,151 domestic hate offences
• 5,498 racial hate cases
• 985 homophobic incidents

Police also recorded 4,385 non‑crime hate incidents — cases where no offence was proven, but hostility or prejudice was reported. These are still logged to support victims and track community trends.

Victims and suspects: who is affected?

Data from Avon and Somerset Police shows most suspects are white adult males. In contrast, victims are more likely to be women, ethnic minorities or disabled people.

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Since 2015, more than 65,000 victims of hate crime have been recorded in Somerset. Key groups include:

• 28,418 White North European victims
• 4,999 Black victims
• 3,211 Asian victims
• 2,000+ victims from Mixed, Arabic and North African backgrounds

Ethnicity data reflects how individuals were recorded at the time — not the motive for the offence.

Police and community response

Campaigners say the scale of the problem highlights the need for ongoing prevention, victim support and education.

Avon and Somerset's Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody said: "Our message is clear: we are united against hate. Together, we will ensure Avon and Somerset remains a place where everyone can live, work, and thrive free from hate."

Somerset hate crime by the numbers

• 4,882 hate crime convictions since 2015
• 2,288 racially aggravated offences
• 1,563 domestic‑related hate convictions
• 403 homophobic convictions
• 61 anti‑Muslim convictions
• 29 transphobic convictions
• 4,385 non‑crime hate incidents logged
• 15,061 arrests and voluntary interviews

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