NORTH-EAST MPs have called for more to be done to tackle Islamophobia and fascist environments, with one describing the current political landscape as "dangerous".

Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald and Hartlepool Mike Hill made the plea following the mass shooting at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, which killed 50 people.

Following the attack, Cleveland Police increased security around mosques in the region, and closer to home, politicians are having to improve security and have police presence at their surgeries following a rise in abuse and sinister threats on social media and in the street.

Mr McDonald said there was "undoubtedly a real problem of rising Islamophobia" and described the current political climate as "heated and dangerous".

Mr McDonald said: "I have never known a time in my life when the need for people to stand up together shoulder to shoulder in rejecting hatred and intolerance has been so necessary.

"The current political climate is heated and dangerous. It’s therefore incumbent on politicians, and those who would seek to be politicians, to understand that the words they choose to use matter.

"It is a matter of immense importance that our national leaders choose narratives that do not turn people against each other but on the contrary bring people together and particularly so now when we need to heal our nation.

"We all need to stand up and challenge prejudicial fascist and dangerous utterances. We have to call racism out for what it is whenever and wherever it raises its ugly head."

Mr Hill added: "Here in Hartlepool we are proud and tolerant people who stand by each other in times of strife and so I say with absolute and unwavering certainty that we fully support our brothers and sisters in the Muslim community."

A spokesperson for Cleveland Police said they had received a number of concerns raised by MPs across the force area.