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Above: Halal butcher's firebombed

Police are investigating after dozens of Islamophobic leaflets were put through doors in Aston.

MP Shabana Mahmood contacted West Midlands Police following complaints from residents who received the flyers on Monday.

Police were treating the alert as a race hate crime and officers were studying CCTV footage in a bid to find out who was responsible for the literature.

Ladywood Labour MP Ms Mahmood said: “These leaflets are frightening.

“They are vile and a disgusting piece of literature designed to frighten the people in my constituency and cause fear and create division in our society.

“I have been liaising with residents and have reported the matter to police.”

The details emerged as a cross-party statement was issued by Birmingham Council cabinet member Coun Waseem Zaffar saying the city welcomed new arrivals from all over the world.

He said: “Our city is warm, friendly and welcoming and no-one will come here and spread hate.

“We are united on this.”

Insp Will O’Connor, neighbourhood policing inspector, said: “We have received complaints about leaflets delivered to several addresses in the north Aston area.

“We believe dozens of homes received these leaflets on Monday.

“The act has been recorded as a racially aggravated offence, namely distributing material intended to incite racial hatred.

“These have been seized and we have also secured some CCTV covering the area which will be examined in the hope it will show who is responsible.

“West Midlands Police will not tolerate hate crime.

“We always take matters such as this seriously and offenders can expect to be hauled before the courts.”

West Midlands Police chief constable Dave Thompson last week promised “zero tolerance” on hate crime after the UK voted to leave the EU.

He stressed the region had not seen an increase in offences following the Brexit result.

The Kashmir Meat and Poultry Halal butcher’s in Pleck, Walsall , was firebombed on Monday evening.

Police were keeping an open mind over the motive.

Anyone with information should call police on 101.