A disabled mum is pleading with thugs who have subjected her and her son to six years of threats and abuse to leave them alone.

Susan Harvey and Alex, six, have faced name-calling, petty vandalism and intimidation since 2004.

Their home in Hamilton, Leicester, has been pelted with eggs, its front door kicked in several times and offensive messages left on her car.

Miss Harvey, 46, stayed silent until last year.

But she alerted police after she read about Barwell mum Fiona Pilkington – who suffered a decade of similar abuse and went on to kill herself and her disabled daughter three years ago.

Police have now declared Miss Harvey, who has cerebral palsy, and Alex, who has spina bifida, victims of a campaign of "hate crime".

She pleaded with her tormentors to stop persecuting them.

Miss Harvey said: "It was only when I saw an article about Fiona Pilkington in the Leicester Mercury that I realised what I had been putting up with was absolutely unacceptable. I contacted the police because I knew I had to take a stand, I'm obliged to make a stand on behalf of disabled people.

"I do get depressed and I can honestly say I've been crying a bit, but not in front of Alex.

"I'm a pretty tough cookie. My concern is for my little boy. He is scared and he wants to move away.

"It's not just when I'm at home. Even when I go shopping in Uppingham Road some adults call me names.

"There's no excuse. This is the 21st century and people know how hurtful their comments are. I just want it to end. These people have to realise what they are doing to us."

Miss Harvey was burgled last September and again last week – although she cannot be sure the raids are linked to the intimidation. She has received support from neighbours.

Miss Harvey's father, Frank Morris, 68, of Netherhall, Leicester said: "The people who are doing this have to realise the effect it's having and just stop doing it."

Leicestershire police and other local authorities were criticised for failing to spot Fiona Pilkington's torment was part of a long-running pattern.

PC Pete Bumpus, Leicestershire police's hate crime officer, said: "People identified as victims of hate crime are treated as priorities. Susan has and will continue to have that support until the problems she is having are eradicated.

"The most important thing that can come out of the Fiona Pilkington tragedy is that people will come forward and tell us about what is happening to them."

Officers from Keyham Lane police station are working with Miss Harvey to identify the youths who are bullying her.

Officers are conducting investigations. As a registered hate crime victim she receives regular visits and is prioritised when she reports an incident.

City councillor Barbara Potter, who represents the Humberstone and Hamilton area, said: "Memories of the Fiona Pilkington case are still fresh in everyone's minds. What is happening to this family is absolutely unacceptable."

Miss Harvey's landlord, Riverside Housing Association, is improving security at her home after the break-ins.

In 2008/09, police recorded 17 hate crime incidents in Leicestershire – ranging from threats and verbal abuse to serious assault. In the past 12 months, it rose to 70.

Police believe their work with councils and disability groups to encourage victims to come forward gave rise to the increase. But campaigners and police believe the total is still only the tip of the iceberg.

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