BLACKBURN with Darwen councillors have instructed borough chief executive Harry Catherall to write to the new Home Secretary Amber Rudd over the rise of hate crimes and racism following the Brexit referendum vote.

They have unanimously backed a motion by Labour leader Mohammed Khan condemning such activity.

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The Tory group not only supported the motion at last week’s full Council Forum but beefed it up by asking Mr Catherall to write to the Home Secretary's new Cabinet minister and the borough’s two MPs, Blackburn’s Kate Hollern and Darwen’s Jake Berry, on the issue.

Cllr Khan accepted the amendment but asked proposer Cllr Kevin Connor to delete a reference to “intolerant behaviour towards people from overseas who live and work here”.

He told the Marsh House Tory the issue of growing racist behaviour since the referendum vote applied to more than just European Union nationals in the UK. Cllr Connor accepted the revision, saying: “I am disgusted at the rise of racist and hate crimes in recent times.

“The worst thing is it is often covert and difficult to prosecute or prove.

“That is why I think we must write to the new Home Secretary and our MPs to ensure action is taken.”

Cllr Khan said: “It is important that we on this council speak out. Hate crimes across the UK have risen by 20 per cent to more than 6,000 across the UK in the almost a month since the Brexit vote.

“Thankfully, this has not been reflected in Blackburn with Darwen but we must work to keep our friendly cohesive community.” Liberal Democrat leader David Foster said: “We support this motion. It is time to speak out and stand up to hate crime and racism.”

The amended motion was passed unanimously asked Mr Catherall to write to the Home Secretary and borough MPs “to express our concerns”.

It says: “Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council condemns racism, xenophobia and hate crime unequivocally.

“We will not allow hate crime to become acceptable. Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council will work to ensure local bodies and programmes have support needed to fight and prevent racism and we reassure all people living in Blackburn with Darwen that they are valued members of our community.”