COUNCILLORS in Dorset are being urged to take a stand against hate crimes following reports of bullying and abuse towards East European children in the county's schools.

County and West Dorset District Councillor Andy Canning is set to put a motion before councils this week urging them to join the fight against intolerance that has surfaced since the EU referendum campaign.

His motions will go before a meeting of Dorset County Council on Thursday morning and of West Dorset District Council that afternoon.

Cllr Canning said that nationally hate crimes rose 42 per cent in the week after the referendum and he has been made aware of some local incidents.

He said: "Some very unpleasant passions were let out of control by the anti-immigrant rhetoric aired by a handful of politicians and newspapers during the EU referendum.

"And it’s not just affecting people in London or Bristol. I have been told of a rise in incidents of bullying and abuse towards children from East European backgrounds at some of our secondary schools.

"I believe this rise in racism and hate crime needs to be tackled and the racists shown that their views are not held by the vast majority of local people.

"As a result I’ve put forward motions to both Dorset County Council and West Dorset District Council that completely condemns this behaviour and seeks to reassure everyone living here that they are valued members of our community regardless of where they were born.

"I hope that both motions will be passed unanimously and I will be more than happy to work with members of any party to make sure that racists know that hate crime will not be tolerated."

Cllr Canning's motion going before West Dorset District Council this week reads: “We are proud to live in a diverse and tolerant society. Racism, xenophobia and hate crimes have no place in our country.

"We, West Dorset District Council condemn racism, xenophobia and hate crimes unequivocally.

"We will not allow hate to become acceptable.

"West Dorset District Council will work to ensure local bodies and programmes have support and resources needed to fight and prevent racism and xenophobia.

"We reassure all people living in West Dorset that they are valued members of our community."

A similar motion is going before the county council.