SANDWELL councillors unanimously passed a resolution condemning hate crimes at Tuesday's full council meeting.

In response to the rise in hate crime incidents after the Brexit vote council leader Councillor Steve Eling put the resolution to the council members.

The resolution said: “This council believes we are proud to live in a diverse and tolerant society and racism, xenophobia and hate crimes have no place in our country.

"This council condemns racism, xenophobia and hate crimes unequivocally and we will not allow hate to become acceptable.

"We will work to ensure that local bodies and programmes have the support and resources they need to fight and prevent racism and xenophobia.

"We reassure all people living in this area that they are valued members of our community."

Cllr Steve Eling was delighted the entire council, including UKIP opposition member Cllr Philip Garrett backed the resolution.

He said: "We know a lot of people voted for Brexit in Sandwell but they did not vote for an increase in hate crime and racism.

"It was important as a council we showed how we are totally against hate crime and will do everything to ensure everyone of every nationality feels safe and secure in Sandwell."

He added: "We are lucky in Sandwell that we have not seen any major hate crimes in Sandwell since Brexit but as a council we have to show leadership."

UKIP councillor Philip Garrett backed the resolution.

He said: "It was a bold resolution and I was only too pleased to back it as there is no place for hate crime in our society.

"If anyone gets bullies or mistreats someone due to their race then the borough should come down on them as hard as they can."

He added: "Obviously Brexit has caused division but UKIP would never condone anything which would cause intolerance and anyone who thinks otherwise does not know anything about the party."

Last week church and faith leaders in Sandwell launched the Love Your Neighbour scheme to help combat hate crime in the borough.