Emily Spurrell, president of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, said hate crimes were under-reported and as a member of the public she would expect them to investigate all reports.

She said: “When you look at hate crimes across the country, they are actually underreported. We know that there are a lot of hate crimes that people don’t yet necessarily have the confidence to report because they’re not always sure they’re getting the right answer.

“So from my perspective as a representative of the public, I would expect the police to investigate every report of a hate crime, and obviously they will make that judgment if it rises to the threshold of a crime, then the appropriate procedure will be followed.

“I think it’s important that we make it very clear that if a hate crime goes uncontested, we see the consequences.”

The issue was raised at Westminster by Lord Austin of Dudley, a former Labor MP, who said: “Last year the police recorded more than 13,000 cases, some against schoolchildren and others for completely different reasons. completely absurd. I myself was investigated for speaking out about Hamas Islamists.

“Meanwhile, only 2 per cent of rapes and 4 per cent of burglaries result in charges, shoplifting is virtually decriminalized and mobile phone thefts are an epidemic on London’s streets. The police and the public find this completely absurd.”

The unaffiliated peer added: “Will ministers set up an independent review to ensure police deal with real crimes with real victims?

Lord Hanson, Home Secretary, said: “Collecting information on non-criminal hate incidents is important because it helps to build a picture of wider potential crime in a timely manner. »