IN honour of National Hate Crime Awareness Week, police agencies have teamed up to encourage more people to report hate crime.

Hate crime - where a hate is targeted at a person because of their race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or gender can take many forms such as verbal, physical or sexual assault and damage to property

From 10 to 17 October, North Yorkshire and York Police will use the hashtag #helpnothate2020 on related social media posts, as well as promote support services and projects available both locally and nationally.

Julia Mulligan, North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said: “Having spoken to victims of hate crime, I know the shattering impact it can have on lives. To be targeted because of who you are is absolutely unacceptable.

"My message to everyone is that it is, and we can only tackle hate crime if victims report offences – no matter how hard that might be."

Dr Justin Ives, Chair of the North Yorkshire Community Safety Partnership and Chief Executive of Hambleton District Council, said: “Hate Crime and Community Cohesion is a strategic priority for North Yorkshire Community Safety Partnership (NYCSP).

“As chair of the NYCSP, I welcome this week of awareness, to focus specifically on showcasing some of excellent partnership work that exists to address some of the issues that happen in our communities.”

Cllr Denise Craghill, executive member for Safer Communities at City of York Council, said: “Hate crime is unacceptable and should have no place in our society. We’re saying to everyone in York: ‘Let’s be safe, considerate and welcoming’, a message which extends to the way we all treat each other, regardless of disability, race or religion, sexuality or gender. I urge anyone experiencing hate crime to report it to the police so that together we can stop it.”

If you, or someone you know, is the victim of hate crime contact the police via 111.