HATE crime is being promoted next week by Dudley borough’s community safety partnership in line with a national campaign.

National hate crime awareness week aims to raise awareness, promote support services and encourage people to report incidents.

Hate crimes may be targeted at a persons’ disability, gender, race, ethnicity or nationality, religion, faith or belief or their sexual orientation.

On Tuesday (October 13), local police, the community safety team and partner agencies are holding an event to promote awareness of the crime and support services available.

The event – welcome to any borough resident – takes place at the Disability in Action Centre, in Wellington Road, Dudley, between 10am and noon.

Councillor Gaye Partridge, Dudley Council’s cabinet member for community safety, said: “It’s really important that anyone affected by hate crime, directly or indirectly, knows there is help available from a number of organisations across the borough.

“Hate crime not only affects individuals but also families and communities and it’s really important that we tackle the issue together.

“No matter what the reason or cause, hate crime is not accepted in Dudley borough and the partnership will continue to work to encourage reporting.”

Reporting centres include the Citizens Advice Bureau in Dudley, Stourbridge, Halesowen and Brierley Hill, as well as Dudley CVS, while hate crimes can also be reported to the police on 101.

For more information visit www.dudleysafeandsound.org/hate-crime---hate-incidents.html.