A hate crime line set-up to monitor anti-Islamic abuse was itself the victim of abuse we can reveal.

The news came after it was reported there had been a rise in anti-Muslim hate crime across the country and murdered MP Jo Cox was preparing to launch a report into far-right extremism later this month.

The new dedicated Anti-Muslim Hate Crime Reporting Line for Lancashire was launched in February this year after growing concerns over Islamophobic incidents across the UK.

The project is being run by Lancashire Council of Mosques (LCM) and follows research into anti-Muslim hate crime conducted by Lancashire County Council.

Incidents reported to the crime line include neighbour disputes which ended with a female niqab wearer being racially abused, a letter sent to a business stating ‘all Muslims are terrorists’ and a taxi-driver being subjected to racist abuse and assault.

Zakarya Anwar from the LCM said: “It is important for anyone subjected to Islamophobic abuse to contact us direct.

“We can then file the report with the police.

“One of the first calls we got from a man from a right-wing group who abused an LCM staff member. This in itself was reported to the police.”

The line is being supported by Lancashire Constabulary and the Police and Crime Commissioner.

It is hoped the Hate Crime Line will encourage more people to report anti-Muslim incidents.

Aieysha Bana, equality and diversity officer with the police said: “We would like to encourage more people to use the line and report any incidents.

“You could report immediately if you experience abuse whilst out and about and the report can be made anonymously.

“It is important that we can see the full picture of what is going on so police can take appropriate action.

“If you are unsure if you have been a victim, call the line and speak to a trained member of staff who will be able to advise you.

“Staff at the Hate Crime Line will take down the details and police will then respond.

“We do advise of course that if it is an emergency that you call 999.”

Yusuf Altaf Patel, 45, is a taxi-driver who used the hate crime line to report racist incidents he was subjected too.

He said: “I was parked in Blackburn town centre and a woman started being abusive towards me.

“We have also incidents with people throwing eggs at us. We spoke to the police at the time but they said there was no CCTV.

“I reported it to the hate crime line and they got in touch with the police. Since then we have had no incidents in the area.

“We have been speaking to taxi-drivers and are looking to engage with them more.”

To call the Hate Crime Line phone 01254 589699.