A HATE free county is being campaigned for throughout Wyre Forest as part of the national Hate Crime Awareness Week.

North Worcestershire Hate Incident Partnerships (NWHIP) is working with the South group to organise events across the county to raise awareness of hate crime.

The Wyre Forest event will take place on Saturday, October 18, outside Kidderminster Town Hall between 10am and 4pm, where people will be on hand to give information and advice on how to stop hate crime incidents.

Incidents can range from name calling and vandalism to physical attacks or theft and are motivated by prejudice, hostility or hatred towards a person’s race, religion or beliefs, age, gender, sexual orientation or disability.

Visitors to the event will also get the opportunity to learn about hate crime from an interactive street theatre performance by Worcester Theatre Makers.

Ken Hazeldene, chairman of the NWHIP, said: “Whilst the message behind Hate Crime Awareness week is a serious one, it doesn’t mean that we can’t all learn about it in a fun and interactive way.

“If you’re shopping in the town centre on Saturday, grab a leaflet or watch the street theatre performance and help us crack down on hate crime.”

Along with Safer Wyre Forest and West Mercia Police, visitors to the event can meet the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner, Mr Bill Longmore, from 10am, where he will talk about what the police are doing to stop hate crime incidents.

Mr Hazeldine added: “We are thrilled that the Police and Crime Commissioner has chosen to visit Kidderminster during Hate Crime Awareness week to see the excellent work done by the Hate Incident Partnerships.”

For more information call Kathryn Washington on 01562 732956 or visit unitedagainsthate.co.uk.