Cornwall Council has condemned hate crime and encouraged residents to report any incidents after the recent EU referendum was followed by an increase in reports of racism nationwide.

The council said an arson attack on a Polish family in Plymouth on Wednesday was just one example of increased hate crimes and incidents across the country, and pledged through the Safer Cornwall partnership not to tolerate such incidents. It also encouraged those who experience hate crimes and hate incidents and those who witness them to report it.

A hate incident is defined as any kind of behaviour that causes fear, alarm or distress where the victim or anyone else, feels that they have been targeted because of their racial heritage, religion or beliefs, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation.

Cornwall Council cabinet member for communities Geoff Brown said: “We do not want hate crime in Cornwall. We want everyone to feel valued, to celebrate diversity and to understand people’s different needs and aspirations whether they are living, visiting or working here.

“We can all do something to tackle hate crime. If you have experienced a hate incident or see or know about hate incidents in your community, it’s important to tell someone about it. By reporting an incident when it happens, you can help stop it happening again.”

Cornwall Council and other Safer Cornwall partners are working together to make hate crime easier to report and to ensure that victims are provided with appropriate support.

To report hate crimes to the police in an emergency call or text 999, or if it’s not an emergency call 101 or text 67101, or email 101@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk