MUSLIM women are worried to go out fearing their hijabs may make them targets for hate crimes.

A spokesman from Worcester Islamic Association spoke of people's concerns and hopes good community relations can be rebuilt after the fallout from Brexit.

It comes after superintendent for south Worcestershire Kevin Purcell talked about the work police have been doing following a slight increase in hate crimes over the last month.

He has been meeting with groups, community leaders and councillors to tackle the issue which he said was one of the priorities for West Mercia Police.

Spokesman Nazrul Islam said the association, based in Lowesmoor, gave advice or helped with issues and signposted people to other services who could help.

"People are frightened to go out to towns and cities - that's the message we're getting from people.

"Especially our females, for example if they have a hijab on when they are out they are frightened if they are going to have comments made to them.

"Obviously they have seen the report in the Worcester News of what happened in the Cornmarket to the four-year-old girl victim - that's frightening.

"Worcester has always had good community relations.

"People have been friendly in Worcester and all get on but after the referendum things are changing very slowly.

"What I have seen a hint of is people losing confidence going out in the city and towns."

Mr Islam said he did not believe it was just the Muslim and Asian communities that felt this way and other minority groups were feeling similar.

He said however that it was only a few "bad apples" responsible for the increase which included a man allegedly shouting racist slurs in Tallow Hill, children chanting "Go home" at a Polish family's house and a taxi driver punched in the face.

Worcester Islamic Association, a charity established in 2009, advised anyone who is a victim of a hate crime or witnesses an attack to contact police.

"I wouldn't describe it as tension, it's a few bad apples who make it worse for others.

"I'd hope we would be able to build good relationships and a few people don't make it worse for others."

How to report a hate crime:

* In an emergency call 999

* For non-emergencies call 101

* Report online at www.report-it.org.uk

* Call in at a police station or stop police officers in the street

* Call the Victim Support national number - 0808 168 9111. You do not need to provide your name when reporting to Victim Support.

* Call North Worcestershire Victim Support on 01527 66462

* Call South Worcestershire and Herefordshire Victim Support on 01905 726885

Special report: How West Mercia Police is tackling an increase in hate crime

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