DETECTIVES are investigating after residents, including a key worker, received threatening letters littered with "horrific" racist abuse.
Two threatening handwritten letters were delivered to two addresses in Lincoln Road, Basildon, on Saturday.
Pictures of one of the letters, which tells the resident to leave her Basildon home and uses racial slurs, have been circulating on social media.
One of the residents said on social media: "I am normally a very quiet and private person but in light of everything going on, I have been away from home for a week working as I am a priority worker.
"I am a mother of a son with a disability and to come home to this letter after risking my health to ensure the public get a service provided to them in these uncertain times.
"I am not a loud person, never thrown a party, I keep myself to myself, I don't talk to people and all I do is look after my son and go to work and I receive such hate.
"I could deal with online trolls and racism but this letter was stamped and hand delivered to my house."
She added: "For my life to be threatened because of the colour of my skin is crazy, we bleed the same, we breathe the same, get it together with all this racist stuff."
Essex Police are investigating the incident as a hate crime.
Community Policing Team officers have visited the victims and are looking at the full circumstances of these reports.
Sergeant Paul Hogben, of Basildon CPT, said: “We have been carrying out further enquiries in the area today and we have safeguarding plans in place for both households.
“Hate crime is unacceptable and I know these actions are not within the spirit of our community here in Basildon district.
“We would like to hear from anyone whohas any information about the individual, or individuals, responsible “That’s why we need your information, your reports and your vigilance. If you know anything, there are ways you can report that information.”
Labour Basildon Council leader Gavin Callaghan hit out at whoever sent the letters on Twitter.
He said: "I am aware of the horrific racist abuse a resident in Basildon has had to endure today.
"There is no place in our borough for racism. This individual must be found and brought to justice."
Anyone with information is asked to call Basildon police station on 101 quoting crime reference 42/76757/20 or you can report information online.
Visit essex.police.uk/hatecrime.
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