A workshop was held in Stevenage to coincide with the start of National Hate Crime Awareness Week.

Organisations tackling hate crime across Herts are encouraging members of the public to turn to third party reporting centres if they do not feel they can speak to the police about offences relating to religion, race, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity.

The workshop at Stevenage Business and Technology Centre focused on the importance of such reporting centres, with bases already set up at Jackie’s Drop-in Centre in Letchworth, Citizens Advice Bureau offices in Stevenage and Letchworth, and Stevenage Borough Council’s customer service centre.

Helen Whitehead, hate crime policy officer at the county’s community safety unit, said: “This week is not only aimed at bringing agencies more closely together to ensure those affected in Herts are better protected, it is also about raising awareness to the public. Third party reporting centres are already operating and the week will highlight further developments.”