I was appalled and disgusted to hear that letters inciting hate crime and calling for a so-called “Punish a Muslim” day have been circulated in Leicester and Leicestershire – as reported in the Mercury.

I have been in regular contact with the police to ensure everything possible is being done to reassure, support and protect local residents.

I have also been in contact with our local mosques and other representatives from the Muslim community.

And I recently signed a strongly worded statement condemning all forms of hate crime, along with our city councillors, City Mayor Peter Soulsby and Leicester MPs Jon Ashworth and Keith Vaz.