A CHEF fears being killed in a racist attack amid a rise in hate crime in Weymouth and Port-land.

HumaYan Kobir was born in Bangladesh but has lived in Weymouth for 10 years and though he has always suffered verbal abuse he now fears for his safety after two assaults.

“Racist abuse is shouted all the time,” he said.

“When someone walks past and says something racist I have nothing to say and that’s what we get most of the time.

“But now it’s different because I’m getting physically attacked.

“If someone kicks and punches me is he going to try and kill me?

“That’s what I’m afraid of.”

Figures given to the Echo by Dorset Police show that hate crime has gone up by 61 per cent in Weymouth and Portland.

During the six months from April to September last year there were 18 offences but in the same period this year there were 29.

Mr Kobir moved to England more than 15 years ago and is classed as British Bangladeshi with a British passport.

The dad of three was walking home from work to Park Street across Westham Bridge earlier this month when he was approached by two men and a woman and was attacked.

He said: “One of the men said ‘what are you looking at’ and swore as he called me a racist name so I said ‘what did you say?’ “His mate did say sorry and that he had been drinking so I said he should take him home to relax.

“But he got more aggressive and came up to me and kicked me. I tried to put my hand out to stop it and I injured my shoulder so my doctor is sending me for an X-ray.”

Mr Kobir, 41, called 999 and said he was asked to come into the police station to help officers identify the man involved.

But he said it was dark and he was scared so he tried to get away.

Mr Kobir was also not confident he could pick them out.

A police spokesman confirmed Mr Kobir called them just before midnight on October 10.

The incident is still technically under investigation but Mr Kobir believes that without more information or an independent witness it will not go any further.

Mr Kobir said he is upset at being targeted as he loves living in Weymouth.

He said: “It’s such a shame because most people here are so nice and I have lots of friends.

“It’s just a few people.”

His friend Suel Meah, 35, moved to England from Bangladesh 28 years ago and has lived in Weymouth for 10 years.

The police statistics back up his belief that racism has been increasing.

He said: “I’ve grown up with it and take it in my stride. I love it here. It’s my home so it’s a shame.”