Essex Police 'horrified' by racial abuse of England football players
"Everyone has the right to live, work and socialise in Essex without fear of abuse"
Essex Police has said they are "horrified" by the racial abuse directed at some England players after the Euro 2020 final on Sunday (11 July).
It comes as Boris Johnson said today (14 July) that football banning orders are changing to cover online racism.
Superintendent Richard Melton, Essex Police force lead for Hate Crime, Hostility and Anti-Social Behaviour, said:
"We, like many people across Essex, have been horrified by the racial abuse directed at England players Marcus Rashford, Jaydon Sancho and Bukayo Saka after the Euro 2020 final on Sunday.
"Although the result wasn't what we hoped for, it's absolutely no excuse for the appalling behaviour we have seen reported across the country.
"We would like to remind our residents that racial abuse of any kind in Essex is not acceptable and will be investigated.
"Everyone has the right to live, work and socialise in Essex without fear of abuse.
"If you have suffered racial abuse or if you have witnessed racial abuse, please report it to us.
"We will always take it seriously and we will investigate it.
"If you do not want to report your experiences directly to us, or you do not want to give your details, you can also go to www.report-it.org.uk to do so."