NEWPORT counicl members of all political colours joined together to condemn the steep rise in hate crime following the Brexit vote this evening.

Along with the UK as a whole, there was an increase in hate crime in Gwent in the lead up to last month’s referendum and in the days and weeks following it, with 91 such incidents reported in Newport, Blaenau Gwent and Monmouthshire last month - a 49 per cent increase on June 2015.

In reaction to the figures, Newport City Council’s Labour leader, councillor Debbie Wilcox, and her Conservative opposite number, cllr Matthew Evans, presented a joint motion at a council meeting tonight, condemning racism and hate crime in all its forms.

Cllr Wilcox said it was important those committing these crimes were not allowed to feel they could get away with it and called on her fellow council members to set an example to the community as a whole.

“It is often the very differences in our culture and background that bring us together,” she said. “That is one of the best things about our great city.”

She added she was concerned the well-reported increase in hate crime could lead to concerns within Newport's minority communities.

“I am determined that not one single person in this city is made to feel that way,” she said.

“We are better than that.”

Cllr Evans said the issue “should rightly rise above party politics”.

“Targeting anyone because they come from a different country to us, are a different colour or indeed have different sexual preferences is completely unacceptable,” he said.

“As a society we cannot and will not tolerate it.”

He added: “Newport is a great city and part of that is because of our cultural heritage and our ability to embrace and welcome different people from around the globe.

“Let’s keep it that way.”

The motion won unanimous support from the council, with many members speaking in support of it.

To view the full wording of the motion visit newport.gov.uk.