A NEWPORT Muslim leader says he is "disgusted" that the number of hate crimes reported in Gwent increased by nearly 50 per cent last month compared to the same period last year.

In Newport, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent and Monmouthshire, there were 91 hate incidents reported to police last month, which represented a 49 per cent increase on June 2015.

Of these incidents, 56 were racially or religiously aggravated – which was double the amount reported during the same month last year.

Since Britain decided to leave the EU on June 24, four racial or religious hate crimes, which the victims believed were directly related to the vote, were reported to the force.

Mubarak Ali, 54, the secretary of the Islamic Society of Wales, said that while other parts of the UK had experienced more hate crimes, there was “no excuse” for it in Newport.

He said: “Obviously, it’s very wrong for people to use the Brexit referendum to go around attacking people. It’s disgusting for people to use that as an excuse to go out and attack people.

“Hopefully the local authorities, police, etc will get the word out that these racist attacks are unacceptable in this civilised society.”

Newport East AM John Griffiths said a number of constituents had raised concerns about incidents of hate crime following the EU referendum result.

He said: “I’m very worried by it because the referendum debate showed there’s unfortunately quite a lot of division in our communities and quite a lot of mistrust – not just people coming into the community from other countries but also people in ethnic communities who have been living her a long time.

“It’s quite shocking. I think the referendum has heightened tensions and probably people feel they have more licence to be insulting and even aggressive towards people who are different.”

The national police chiefs' council have revealed that 3,076 hate crimes were reported to police forces across the UK in the second half of June – which peaked with 289 alleged offences on the day after the referendum result.

Detective chief superintendent Mark Warrender, lead for hate crime in Gwent and chair of the Wales hate crime and criminal justice board, said: "The increase in hate incidents that we have seen in Gwent mirrors the national picture, and we will continue to monitor reports closely.

“We now have one of the best satisfaction rates in the country and victims are telling us that once they have reported to us, they have felt supported, believed and treated fairly by our officers.”

The police and crime commissioner for Gwent, Jeff Cuthbert, added: "We don't want victims to suffer in silence and I want to make it clear that any racial abuse will not be tolerated here in Gwent.”

You can report a hate crime to police on 101 or in confidence to victim support on 0300 303 1982.