MORE hate crimes were recorded against Chinese people in Cumbria in the first three months of this year, than in either of the two previous years.

According to figures received from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, there were five reports of hate crime against Chinese nationals in 2018, six reports in 2019, and seven reports between January and March this year.

Six of this year's reports were racially or religiously aggravated public fear, alarm or distress whilst the other was racially or religiously aggravated harassment.

Across the UK, there have been reports of Chinese and other Asian people being targeted because of coronavirus.

Detective Chief Inspector Furzana Nazir, force lead for hate crime said: “All reports of hate crime are taken extremely seriously.

"Nationally there has been an increase in the number of hate crimes being reported against Chinese nationals which are being linked to the current pandemic.

“Within Cumbria this figure is relatively low.

"In 2018 we had five reports, in 2019 we received six reports and between January and March this year seven reports.

“As a force we recognise the impact of hate crimes and we have a robust plan in place to tackle all forms of hate crime.

"We work with professional partners, local patrols and have experienced detectives to tackle more serious hate crimes.

“We take all hate crime seriously and encourage those that have been a victim to this type of crime to get in touch with police and report it

"If you don’t want to speak with an officer you can report it via the True Vision Website.”

A spokesman for AWAZ, a charity which champions ethnic groups in Cumbria, said: "This is a worrying trend, to see a community targeted by racist hate crime, particularly at this very challenging time of Covid and unnecessary for communities to be faced by such behaviour.

"Hate crime has a devastating effect on people and communities, and our local area is not immune to it.

"Racist abuse seems to be on the increase over the last few months during the Covid crisis.

"The major issue which we experience in Cumbria is that there isn't much done to tackle the root causes of hate crime, ignorance, lack of understanding and working together in terms of the agencies responsible for making environments conducive for integration."