Merseyside Police have told the Globe a rise in reported hate crime has less to do with Brexit and more to do with a seasonal increase which happens "each year, every year" between June and October.

A survey publshed today found record levels of hate crime were reported by three-quarters of police forces in England and Wales in the aftermath of last year's EU referendum.

Merseyside - where the majority voted for Remain - recorded a rise  of 19%.

In some areas the number of incidents jumped by more than 50%.

Merseyside Assistant Chief Constable Julie Cooke said: “We know that hate crime goes hugely underreported and on Merseyside we’ve seen a year-on-year increase in reporting of hate crime offences since 2013, which we welcome.

"We believe this increase is in part down to increased confidence in victims to come forward and also down to greater awareness of the issue.

“On Merseyside there is an average of 42 hate crime offences recorded each week and when we’ve looked at the week before and after the EU referendum we had 43 crimes reported on each week - which is in line with this average weekly figure.

“Hate crime reporting fluctuates from month to month and the increases show in the period June to September 2016 - post the EU referendum - is in line with a seasonal increase we see at this time of year, every year.

"We also see a spike every year in October, which coincides with the annual Hate Crime Awareness Week."

Ukip leader and North West MEP Paul Nuttall has said that such incidents have been "overblown" in an attempt to "rubbish Brexit."

He said: "Of course there will be individual instances and people should never be victims of hate crime at all.

"I've said this in the chamber in the European Parliament, my heart goes out to those people who have been victims, but I think a lot of this has been overblown specifically to try to rubbish Brexit."

The figures compiled by the Press Association provide the first complete picture of hate crime recorded by police in England and Wales following the referendum on June 23.

They show that in the three months ending September 2016:

33 out of 44 forces recorded the highest quarterly number of hate crimes since comparable records began in April 2012

Three forces each recorded more than 1,000 hate crimes: the Metropolitan Police (3,356), Greater Manchester (1,033) and West Yorkshire (1,013)

Only four forces reported a decrease on the previous three months

ACC Cooke added: “When we have looked at the types of hate crime reported to us, the largest proportion is made up of race hate crime - 72% - but we are also seeing increased reports of transphobic and religious offences.

"We know that these types of crimes are incredibly personal and we welcome the fact that more and more people are willing to come forward and speak with our officers.

"We continue to work closely with different communities across Merseyside to reassure anyone who may have been a victim of hate crime that tackling it is a force priority and if you report a hate crime to us, you will be dealt with sensitively.

“I would like to urge anyone out there, who may have been a victim of hate crime, to get in contact, so we can take action.

"We have specially trained officers who deal with this type of crime day in day out and you will be appropriately supported and given the highest priority.

“I’d also like to remind people, we have a number of third party reporting centres across Merseyside, such as fire stations, citizen advice bureaus and hospitals.

"This enables those people who feel more comfortable with discussing their issues with an independent party to come forward."

ACC Cooke said that in August 2014 the Police and Crime Commissioner launched a new partnership with Stop Hate UK.

This means that if someone doesn’t want to speak to the police, they can get support and the charity will act as a liaison if required.

They can be contacted by calling 0800 138 1625.