TWO North-East MEPs have raised concerns about evidence of hate-crimes given during their consultation about what the North-East requires from Brexit negotiations.

Jude Kirton-Darling MEP and Paul Brannen held an event at Newcastle’s Centre for Life to allow members of the public to raise questions about Brexit and its implications.

It was raised that German students studying at a North-East university have recently asked one of their tutors which pubs in Newcastle were safe to speak German in, after several recent incidents of hostility towards them on public transport. Figures recorded in August showed the region had the highest increase in hate crimes since the referendum vote, with an increase of almost 110 per cent and British Transport Police recording a rise of 44 per cent.

Ms Kirton-Darling said: “We have a reputation as a welcoming, warm people and I’m appalled that the reality for some coming to the North-East has been the exact opposite. “The North East should be a safe place for everyone to live, work and study, and the evidence we are seeing from our consultation is that this simply isn’t true.”

She added: “Prejudiced comments and public hatred do not represent the region I know, and more must be done to combat the rise of bigotry on our streets, in workplaces and on public transport,”

Mr Brannen said: “It is very important that the North-East does not become unwelcoming for foreign students, especially as EU students in the North East generate £82m a year for local economy.

“Young people who have chosen to come here to learn and expand their horizons deserve to be welcomed, and I am worried that students may be less likely to choose to attend universities in the North East if incidents like this continue.”