Racist attacks have increased by almost a third across the Thames Valley following Brexit, with worried High Wycombe residents fearing the backlash could continue.

On Friday afternoon, a man hurled shocking racist abuse at a 27-year-old woman as she walked through Desborough Recreation Ground, off Fryers Lane, with her daughter.

It was one of the latest incidents in a string of race attacks in the town which has left community leaders concerned over people’s safety.

In the week after the UK voted to leave the European Union, 92 incidents of racial hatred were reported in the Thames Valley – 28 more than the same period one year ago.

Chief inspector Helen Roberts, of the Neighbourhood Policing and Partnerships team, said: “We wish to encourage confidence in reporting it and by effectively investigating those that are reported to us.

“We have seen a rise in the number of hate incidents and crimes reported. These are not in a specific area or against a particular group.”

She added: “The number of hate incidents that have been reported to us which appear related to the referendum vote are very small.”

Friday’s incident was just the latest to be reported, with social media users suggesting there has also been a rise in offensive comments and attacks being made across the county.

Police are still hunting a suspect in the Desborough Recreation Ground attack.

The wanted man is described as being between 21 and 25-years-old, slim, with ginger hair and wearing a red sleeveless top and jeans.

He was with a black man, about 25-years-old, slim, with short black hair and wearing black clothing.

Mohammed Khaliel, the director of community relations organisation Islamix, says there is no place for hate crime in our society.

He said: “We have noticed an increase in hate incident since the Brexit vote, reflected at local and national level in diverse areas, indicating that immigration appears to be strong factor in the referendum vote.”

He added: “There is no place for any hate crime in our diverse and rich societies and it is clear the number of incidents occurring at street level are no being reflected in police reporting figures.

“We need to encourage any victim of crime to report the matter to the police.”

To report a hate crime, call 101 or speak to the Hate Crime Network on 0300 1234 148.