POLICE are asking Cotswold residents to report any hate incidents during the "difficult and concerning time" following the Manchester Arena terror attack. 

Hate incidents include comments on social media that are likely to cause upset or anger.

Assistant Chief Constable Julian Moss said that despite the country's heightened threat level, after a suicide bomber killed 22 people at Manchester Arena, police will continue to deal with incidents that threaten community cohesion.

He asked that hate incidents are reported to police as soon as possible so that they can be investigated and appropriate action can be taken.

He said it was vitally important that the county's "proud tradition of tolerance and compassion, not least in the face of an appalling atrocity that is intended to create division and hatred" is upheld. 

He said: "We would like to assure the public that despite the heightened threat level at the present time, Gloucestershire Constabulary continues to offer a full service to everyone in the county.

"You can carry on contacting us in the normal manner to report any crime or incident and we will continue to provide a service to you in the way you would expect at any other time.

"To this end we ask that any hate incidents are reported to us as soon as possible so we can investigate them and take the appropriate action.

"Working together as a united community we can ensure that tensions are kept in check at what we know is a difficult and concerning time for many people."