A CALL for calm and tolerance has been issued by community leaders in the wake of the EU referendum Brexit vote.

The plea has been issued as incidents of racial and religious abuse spirals across the country following the historic vote last month.

And the move comes just days before the town celebrates its multiculturalism with the two-day Middlesbrough Mela.

Thousands of people descend on the town centre to sample the tastes, sights and sounds of the Asian community which has a longstanding connection with Middlesbrough.

Concerns have been raised in Middlesbrough after a number of negative incidents, which have affected some faith groups, refugees and other minority communities.

Reports from elsewhere in the UK have suggested that migrant workers, asylum seekers and refugees are among those being targeted.

Middlesbrough Interfaith Network says the town has a long history of welcoming newcomers, and the town’s diversity and tolerance form a strong element of its cultural identity.

The town’s Mayor Dave Budd, who chairs the Middlesbrough Interfaith Network, said: “The referendum campaign has been divisive at times and has caused hurt to those on all sides.

“In the coming weeks and months, the need for bridge building within society will be more important than ever.

“We now all have a responsibility to seek to heal the divisions and to focus on what unites us, rather than that which divides us.

“As members of Middlesbrough’s Interfaith Network, we are united in our commitment to support all our communities, of all faiths and none, especially, the most vulnerable.

“Hate crime of any kind, directed against any community, of any background, has absolutely no place in our society.

“Abuse and hostility is entirely at odds with our shared values of tolerance, valuing of diversity, and mutual respect.”

The Bishop of Whitby the Right Rev Paul Ferguson added: “Whichever way any of us voted in the Referendum, it is time now to think and act for the best of our local community, our country and our international partners, with whom we shall continue to work and to trade.

“The words we use and the way we treat one another will be critically important, as it is essential to move on from the bitterness, cynicism and anger that marred the campaign.”

Cleveland Police are also working to reassure communities they will respond robustly to any incidents, and victims can be reassured that their concerns about hate crime will be taken seriously.

For information on how and where to report an incident, visit www.cleveland.pcc.police.uk