A YOUNG child playing in a Bournemouth park has become the latest victim of racist abuse in Dorset.

The Polish youngster was with her family at Queens Park when other children started shouting: "Speak English, speak English" said Adnan Chaudry, Chief Executive of the Dorset Race Equality Council.

It is just one of a number of incidents reported to the council since UK residents voted to leave the European Union.

Mr Chaudry said a young man alerted police and the Race Quality Council after being targeted as he walked through Boscombe Gardens.

"Three men were shouting 'Are you British?' as people walked past them. He said it felt intimidating although he is actually English."

Mr Chaudry added: "There seems to be an environment of intimidation and I am strongly encouraging people to report any such incidents to the police, whether they have been a victim or have seen an incident.

"I believe that right-wing activists will take advantage of this outcome."

There have also been reports that a Big Issue seller in Blandford was the victim of a racially-motivated physical and verbal assault.

Hugo Mieville, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for North Dorset, told the Daily Echo: "I am sure that voters from both sides, and of all parties and none, would wish to join me in deploring the recent alleged verbal and physical assault.

"Whatever our differences following this contentious event, we all believe in democracy and are all members of the same society.

"In these difficult days we need to live together in mutual respect ad civility and be on our guard against those who seek to fracture and divide our fundamentally decent rural community."

And a Poole resident contacted the Daily Echo to tell how a Bulgarian friend was asked 'Do you have your bags packed?' when he went into a shop.

Dorset County Councillor Pauline Batstone, Champion for Diversity, is also part of KnowStur in Sturminster Newton, where many migrants live and work.

She told the Daily Echo: "We are aware that racism may be a risk at the moment and will be monitoring the situation.

"We are concerned about verbal attacks although the migrants here play a major part in our economy and bring a lot to the cultural life of Sturminster Newton."

Across the UK racist attacks appear to have risen with more hatred displayed via social media.

A spokesman for anti-racism campaign HOPE not hate, said: "The authorities and police must bring the full force of the law to bear against those who seek to exploit the referendum to promote an agenda of racial or religious hatred."

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Cooper of Dorset Police said there has been no recorded increase in hate crime but pledged to "respond robustly to any incident."

He said: "All forms of hate crime are unacceptable in any circumstances. Hatred not only has the potential to cause serious physical and emotional harm, it damages communities and undermines the diversity and tolerance we should be instead celebrating.

"Tackling hate crime is a priority for the Force and we are working with our communities and partners to stamp it out."

He said hate crime is known to be under-reported and urged victims to speak out.