ESSEX Police has received two complaints of abuse against people with ginger hair, which could be regarded as a hate crime.

During a meeting in south Essex Insp Lee Argent told visitors the force had two live inquiries over abuse about redheads.

Insp Argent also told the Thurrock Independent Advisory Group public meeting that hate crime "is often a matter of perception".

However the force has distanced itself from Insp Argent's statement, stating complaints against people with ginger hair should not be recorded as hate crimes.

A spokeswoman added: "Any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person's race or perceived race; religion or perceived religion; sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation; disability or perceived disability and any crime motivated by hostility or prejudice against a person who is transgender or perceived to be transgender."

She added hair colour does not fall within the definition and as such is not seen by Essex Police as an aggravating factor when classifying an offence as a hate crime.

She added: "We are aware there are a small number of cases where hair colour has been mistakenly recorded as an aggravating factor.

"We are working with officers to ensure hate crime reports are recorded appropriately within the definition of hate crime."