HATE has no home here, is the message of a new campaign launched by Avon and Somerset Police.

The aim is to provide victims and bystanders with the confidence to spot and report a hate crime.

The force lead for Hate Crime, Superintendent Will White, said: “We are concerned that there are still too many crimes – and they are changing in nature – happening close to home, in the street by people the victim know by sight.”

He added that people don’t even recognise that they’ve been the victim of a hate crime because being called names or being harassed on the street is expected.

As such, the police are asking the communities across South Gloucestershire to call out hate crime if they see it, offer support to victims and tell the police about it.

Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said: “Our homes and the streets we live should be a place free from discrimination, intolerance and prejudice.

“Sadly this is not always the case and we still hear of hate crime incidents.

“That’s why it’s important we are film in our message that hate has no home in our communities.”

She added that people in communities who support one another are safer.

“If you’ve been a victim of hate crime, you are not alone.
“There are people who can help and you belong to a community who cares.”

Following the terror attack in Westminster on Wednesday, PCC Mountstevens wrote an open letter to the public with Chief Constable Andy Marsh that mentioned a possible spike in hate crimes in the region.

They said: ""We are aware that following incidents such as this, there can be an increase in hate crimes within our communities.

"Over the coming days and weeks we will be reaching out to reassure and strengthen bonds with the communities we serve.

"Let us be clear, there can never be any excuse for hate crime in any shape or form and this criminality will not be tolerated."

Avon and Somerset police are asking people who witness a hate crime to offer support to the victim if it is safe to do so; to console the victim after the event and tell them by calling 999 in an emergency or 101 in a non-emergency.

If you don’t want to contact the police directly, use an independent agency or report it online at the True Vision website.

To find out more visit the Avon and Somerset Police website.