More than 300 hate crime incidents have been reported to a national online portal since last Thursday - compared to a weekly average of 63, new figures from the National Police Chiefs' Council show.

Earlier today one of Britain's largest police forces revealed it has seen a rise in reported hate incidents.

The Deputy Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Ian Pilling said the small increase was of concern, adding: "All hate crime is unacceptable."

It comes after footage emerged of a US Army veteran being racially abused on a tram in Manchester.

Manchester Metropolitan University sport lecturer Juan Jasso was targeted by three youths on Tuesday morning as commuters travelling towards the city centre looked on.

The incident was caught on camera by a fellow commuter.

Three people were arrested on suspicion of affray. Two men aged 20 and 18 and a 16-year-old youth were bailed pending further inquiries.

Mr Pilling said: "What's happening in Greater Manchester appears to reflect a national picture that has emerged in recent days. True Vision, the national online reporting site, has told us they have received some disgraceful examples of racial abuse around the country this week."

The force fears such crimes are going unreported and wants to encourage people to report hate crime incidents.

Mr Pilling added: "Many people in our communities will be feeling anxious right now as a result of the perception that a small number of people are using recent events to give ill-judged legitimacy to their hate-filled views.

"Over the last few days there has been a small increase in the number of hate incidents reported to Greater Manchester Police.

"While we cannot categorically say whether the increase is related to any particular event, I wish to make it absolutely clear that all hate crime is unacceptable and even a small increase is of concern to us."

Mr Pilling urged anyone with mobile footage of suspected hate crimes to forward it to police rather than share it on social media, adding: "Unless police officers are made aware they cannot investigate it and catch offenders."

Anyone who experiences such behaviour is asked to call police on 101, use the True Vision website report-it.org.uk, or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.