Essex Police is investigating a series of incidents in which an Indian restaurant and its staff have been targeted in Burnham-on-Crouch, including a vehicle being driven through the shop window.

The incidents that have been reported to police, which all took place between 22 and 28 November, also include racial abuse being shouted down the phone at staff and prank calls with hoax food orders.

Police officers are investigating to see if these incidents are linked and if they have been primarily motivated by hatred.

Superintendent Richard Melton, Essex Police's hate crime lead, said: "Investigations into whether these incidents are both linked and hate-related are ongoing and if they are, let me be clear - no-one should be subjected to abuse or targeted because of their race or religion.

"Hate crime in all its forms is a priority for Essex Police and will not be tolerated.

"We work shoulder to shoulder with our other Essex partners to take a hard line against hatred committed anywhere across the county, and we work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to make sure that hate crime offenders are brought to justice.

"We recognise the problems that hatred causes and how it can escalate if it goes unchecked by those that witness it.

"What starts as low-level anti-social behaviour can grow into hate crimes and that is especially damaging for close-knit rural communities".

If you have any information about the incidents at Curry Cottage, or any information about hate crime, you can submit a report online here or use the 'Live Chat' button to speak to an online operator between 7am and 11pm.

Please be aware that comments made on closed social media groups are not accessible by those investigating the crime, so please make contact with the police directly with any information.

You can also call us on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.