One in 20 people living in Britain has been the victim of a religious hate crime in the last 12 months, according to a new poll this month.

Opinium Research surveyed more than 2,000 people and asked if they had been the victim of any type of hate crime, including verbal abuse, harassment, damage to property and different types of prejudice.

Overall, 5 per cent had experienced religious hate crime, but that figure rose to 15 per cent in the North East and 11 per cent, more than one in ten, in London. Both are areas populated by large numbers of Muslims. The lowest figure for religious hate crime were in Yorkshire and Humberside, and in Wales. Northern Ireland was just below the average, with 4 per cent of people having experienced a religious hate crime.

More people suffered hate crime in relation to prejudice around disability and race than religion. An average 6 per cent reported a disability hate crime, but that figure rose to 17 per cent, nearly one in five, again in the North East, and 12 per cent, more than one in ten, in London. Racial hate crimes similarly peaked in the North East, and then London.

The level for homophobic and sexist hate crimes were the same as religion, experienced by one in 20. Again, the highest rate was in the North East with London running a close second.

Of those suffering racial hate crimes, most reported that it took the form of bullying, verbal abuse and internet trolling. But surprisingly large numbers also received hate mail and suffered damage to property and harassment.

Religious hate crime mainly took the form of harassment, physical assault and internet abuse, but there were also significant amounts of domestic abuse, verbal abuse, hate mail, vandalism and bullying.

Incidents were most frequent against young men and women aged 18-34, and nearly half reported the incidents. However, more than four out of ten did not intend to go to the police.