MEMBERS of Cotswold District Council have condemned hate crime and welcomed the many contributions made to the district’s vibrant multicultural and multiracial community by people regardless of their background.

Meeting on Tuesday, September 27, the councillors gave unanimous support to a motion proposed by Cllr Jenny Forde and seconded by Cllr Nigel Robbins.

CDC Leader, Cllr Lynden Stowe, had previously issued a public denunciation of hate crime in June when the EU referendum result sparked a rise in reported incidents of verbal abuse and xenophobic threats aimed at ethnic minorities:

“I said back in June and I repeat now that the Council will continue to support all efforts aimed at tackling hate crime and discrimination in all its forms.  Incidents of this nature are appalling and cannot be tolerated in the Cotswolds.”

Cllr Forde was very pleased with the outcome: “We received full backing for the motion and I am also delighted that we agreed to call on the government to act quickly and clarify the right to remain for EU citizens living in the Cotswolds.

“I know that EU citizens who are resident in the area are concerned about their future at present.”

The council website has a page devoted to combating hate crime - cotswold.gov.uk/residents/communities/community-safety/hate-crime/

Anyone can use this as a means of reporting incidents and they have various options to draw it to the attention of those who can tackle it quickly and effectively.

To report hate crime incidents call Gloucestershire police on 0800 077 8460 or by calling the non-emergency 101 line.