A SWEDISH mum was sworn at and told to go "back to your own country" during a distressing racist attack in York.

The young mother, from Fulford, was overheard speaking to her children in her native language when she was abused just yards from her home.

Craig Tevendale, a friend of the mum, contacted The Press in disgust after he was told about the abuse.

The dad, whose children go to the same school as the Swedish youngsters, said the outburst, a day after the EU referendum result became clear, had left the mum feeling upset and angry.

He said: "On a warm summer Saturday in Fulford, a young mother with her two children was told to "---- off back to your own country".

"There are many millions of good people who voted to take the UK out of the EU for sensible reasons they believe in.

"I respect their decision, and the political outcome it has led to.

"It is not only sad, but deplorable, that a criminal minority feel that they have been emboldened by the result to abuse others with brainless, racist bile which has no place in any civilised community."

Superintendent Adam Thomson, of North Yorkshire Police, has called on the mum to contact police.

He said: “I am appealing to the woman who was abused to please contact us and report what happened.

“I am also appealing to anyone else who has any information that could help identify the perpetrators to contact us.

“This type of crime will not be tolerated in the City of York or anywhere else in our county and anyone who behaves in such a way will face the full force of the law.

“I also encourage anyone else who has been the victim of similar crimes, to please contact us. All reports of hate crime are taken extremely seriously and will be thoroughly investigated."

Mr Tevendale has called on communities across York to stand up to other racist bullies and stop them if they witness anything similar.

He added: "York must continue to be a city characterised by respect, not a community where abusing and intimidating a mother and her children in the street - for any reason - is acceptable behaviour.

"This is the time to reassure our neighbours and friends that they are welcome and we value their contributions. I also hope that others will share the disgust of my family at this incident, and will intervene if they witness any similar incidents of bigotry and contemptible racism."

The incident has not been reported to police.

This story is one of a number of post-Brexit racist attacks around the country.

Two teenagers abused an American man on a tram in Manchester yesterday (Tues) and told him to "get back to Africa".

A video captured the moment the man was threatened with violence on an early morning tram as onlookers watched on in fear and disgust.

Rita Sanderson, of York Racial Equality Network, said a number of people had contacted them concerned or worried about a potential increase in racism.

She said: "We are a third-party hate-crime reporting centre and we would urge people to report anything to us, and obviously if there is an emergency to phone police."

Contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.