THE number of hate crimes police recorded in England and Wales have hit a record high, according to figures published today.

Home Office data shows that 105,090 hate crimes were recorded in 2019-20, an 8 per cent rise on 2018-19, and is the highest number since records began nine years ago.

Race hate crimes accounted for 72 per cent (76,070) of alleged offences, rising by 6 per cent in a year.