Rochdale MP supports Greater Manchester's Hate Crime Awareness Week

Tony Lloyd MP

The first week in February marks Greater Manchester's Hate Crime Awareness Week.

The aim of the week is to raise awareness of hate crime whilst also encouraging victims to report hate crime incidents.

Hate crimes are any crimes of hostility or prejudice towards a person's race or ethnicity, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or trans identity.

Over 8,000 hate crimes were reported to the police over the last year. They can be committed against a person or property, and a victim doesn't have to be a member of the group the hostility is targeted towards.

MP for Rochdale, Greater Manchester, Tony Lloyd said:  "Rochdale is renowned for celebrating difference, it’s the sign of a decent, tolerant society.

"Hatred of people’s differences is ignorant and perverse and it should never be accepted or excused.

"Tackling antisemitism and Islamophobia is high on the agenda right now, but all types of hate crime are equally despicable and destructive.

"Hate crime devastates lives. We must keep talking about it, keep reporting it, and stand together to send a message that such attitudes have no place in our town."

If you have been a victim or a witness of hate crime, report it to Greater Manchester Police on 101, or click here to report it or receive help and support.