SKIPTON'S MP has revealed this week the abuse he suffered during the European Referendum campaign left him feeling "threatened".

Julian Smith, who voted to remain in Europe, has also received complaints about increasing racial abuse from constituents, both during the campaign and following the country's vote to leave the EU.

"It is very concerning," said Mr Smith. "I was abused during the campaign and it is the first time I have felt threatened in Skipton since being elected as MP in 2010.

"Hate crimes and racial abuse are criminal acts and need to be reported to the police. This is something that needs to be nipped in the bud. Skipton has a fantastically diverse community that is really special.

"Reports of hate crimes are very, very disturbing and it is the first time we have heard them to this degree."

The Tory MP said everyone had a responsibility to report hate crimes.

Mr Smith added: "We have got to got on top on this locally. It is really important that everyone – individuals, businesses, restaurants and shops – report these crimes. We need to bring some focus to the issue."

Mr Smith said constituents had raised concerns about racial abuse during recent surgeries, but declined to give exact details.

Mr Smith tweeted last week "depressing to hear today of further hate crimes in #skipton following #euref. Completely unacceptable & shd be reported to @NYorksPolice".

Nationally, figures show that reported incidents of hate crimes increased by 42 per cent in the weeks immediately before and week after the UK’s vote to leave the EU on June 23.

But, Insp Geoff Crocker, of Skipton Police, said: "We have seen nothing extra on hate crimes here in Craven. We have had one hate crime recorded since the vote."

Mohammed Shabir, from Skipton Islamic Society, said he, too, was unaware of any racial hate crimes locally in the wake of the referendum.

"I do know nationally there has been a problem since the Brexit vote, especially against Polish and Eastern European people and, in particular, children at schools," he added.

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