TOP churchmen and community leaders in Keighley have called for an end to racial abuse in the town after several sickening verbal assaults on Eastern Europeans.

The powerful plea was issued this week after it was revealed some migrants living in Keighley had suffered abuse following Britain's decision to leave the European Union.

Four top clergymen were among the signatories to a statement condemning the attacks and urging people to be welcoming and supportive to the town's large Eastern European population.

"We are very concerned by the news that Eastern Europeans living in Keighley are getting abuse following the referendum," they say.

"Racial abuse is never acceptable.

"Christian churches in the town stand alongside those being abused.

"Eastern Europeans in Keighley are neighbours God calls us to love. They are part of our town. They need our support and welcome.

"We call upon Keighley to challenge racial abuse in whatever form it takes.

"Let’s work together to address what divides us and build up our common good."

Dorota Plata – a Polish mum who settled in Keighley ten years ago – helps run the town's Good Shepherd Centre, which welcomes and supports newly-arrived families.

"Some people have told me that they have experienced racial comments since the decision to leave the EU," she said.

"The attacks have not been physical but there has been some quite nasty, abusive language used.

"It's not pleasant for families to have to endure that and I support what the churches are saying.

"It should also be said, however, that there have been a lot of extremely positive and supportive comments.

"We are doing considerable work here to help families new to this country to integrate and the response has been good."

Keighley MP Kris Hopkins also condemns the abuse and says action must be taken against those responsible.

"I am immensely proud of the diversity amongst Keighley residents – which is one of our greatest strengths," he added.

"I abhor all episodes of racism or xenophobia and those involved must be brought before the courts.

"I will continue to work closely with the police on these matters and urge my constituents to report any such incidents to local officers without delay."

Police in Keighley said they had not received any reports of hate crime since the referendum result, but they urge any victims to get in touch on 101, or by dialling 999 if it's an emergency situation.

  •  The statement was signed by town chaplain the Rev Dr Jonathan Pritchard, Keighley Churches Together (KCT) president Geoff Newton, KCT publicity officer Lt Ben Cotterill, Canon Michael McCreadie of St Anne's Catholic Church and former town mayor Graham Mitchell.