CHESHIRE’S Police and Crime Commissioner has blasted the ‘shameful behaviour’ from members of the public following the EU referendum.

In Cheshire, there have been no upsurge in reported hate crimes since the referendum result last Friday, though there have been reports of incidents in other parts of the country

David Keane, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, has now called for continued respect and tolerance to be shown across the borough.

“The last week has seen some shameful behaviour by individuals focused on division and intolerance,” he said. “I am pleased to say that I am not aware of any such incidents in Cheshire.

“I believe that in Cheshire we have an ethos built upon mutual respect and a police service that treats all our communities equally.”

“The Constabulary has been clear – hate crime will not be tolerated and firm action will be taken to tackle it.

“I fully support them in this and would urge anyone who has been a victim of hate crime to contact the police – you will be treated seriously.”

Cheshire Police reassured minority communities in the borough that hate crime will not be tolerated.

Assistant Chief Constable Sarah Boycott, who leads the Constabulary’s neighbourhood policing team, said: “In my experience here in Cheshire we treat all communities with tolerance and respect, and long may that continue.

“But in light of some incidents we’ve seen in other parts of the country, however, I want to make it clear to our minority communities that we’re here for you, and we don’t accept racism or threats to those because of the colour of their skin or where in the world they were born.

“That’s hate crime, and we take firm action wherever we come across it.

“There are a number of ways to contact people can report hate crimes – directly to the police, via the TruVision website, or through reporting centres in most large towns.

“But if you feel at threat you should call us on 101, or in an emergency on 999.”

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.