Extra police patrols will take place near Colchester Mosque after faith leaders discovered a letter calling Muslims “filthy, subhuman vermin”.

The letter also contained a white powder, which was later found to be harmless, and was opened by Mosque chairman Bashir Goni on Wednesday.

Essex Police are investigating the incident as a hate crime, and Chief Superintendent Ewen Wilson has called for unity from the community in tackling the incident.

"The incident, although rare, is very serious and is being investigated as a hate crime,” he said.

"Essex Police will not accept or tolerate hate crimes in our communities, be it online or in the street.

"We urge people across all faiths and backgrounds to be vigilant and report any information that can assist our dedicated investigative team.”

The incident is being treated by police as isolated but targeted and there have been a number of similar incidents across the country in recent days.

Ch Sup Wilson said: "We will be carrying out further patrols in the Priory Street mosque area following this incident.

"We work closely with community groups, faith leaders and independent advisory groups across Essex who support us in tackling these crimes and we value these close relationships.

"There are now 39 Hate Incident Reporting Centres across the county and 450 people from the public and voluntary sector, who have been fully trained as hate crime ambassadors, building on our commitment to tackle hate crime and support victims.”

Colchester MP Will Quince visited the mosque on Friday to show his support.

Any witnesses or anyone with information should contact Essex Police, quoting incident 587 of 02/05.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppoers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

If you do not have the confidence to talk to the police you can report it to Hate Incident Reporting Centres by visiting https://www.essex.police.uk/advice/hate-crime/#hircs or visit www.report-it.org.uk.