A victim of horrific racist abuse has told how she is too scared to go out.

One of the victims, a key worker in Basildon, has spoken out after two neighbours received vile letters through their front doors on Saturday.

The letters, posted through the letterboxes on Lincoln Road, are being treated as a hate crime, and have caused one victim so much anxiety they cannot bear to be inside.

Speaking to the BBC, one victim, a mum, said she is not comfortable leaving her home.

She said: “It’s had me fearful to leave my house. I don’t know who to trust.

“It’s had me very much on edge.

“I’ve had my son sleeping with me, I can’t really sleep properly.

“I’m scared someone might break into my house.

“It’s in the back of my mind that I have to try and get out and be as normal as possible, but at same time, I have really bad anxiety now.

“I tried to go out yesterday but I don’t feel comfortable to do that.”

The victim said she had tried to put on a brave face, adding: “I’m still stuck in the house.

“I still don’t know who it is who done this.

“I read it over and over again and I was thinking where did this come from.

“When I got mine, I called my neighbour, because we’re the only black ethnic descendants where I live. I asked her to check her post.

“I said we would call the police together.

“I’m not feeling any better since it happened. I’m meant to be at work, but I’m scared that if I leave early in the morning someone could follow me and hurt me.”

Basildon Council confirmed earlier this week officers are keeping in touch with the victims, and are in contact with Essex Police, after the force launched a major investigation into the letters.

Gavin Callaghan, the leader of the council, slammed those responsible, and said “there is no place for it in Basildon”.

A spokesman for Essex Police, said: “Anyone with information is asked to call Basildon police station on 101 quoting crime reference 42/76757/20 or you can report information online.

If you would like to make a report, but would prefer to remain anonymous, you can speak to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or submit a report through their website.”