COUNTY residents are being invited to an awareness event to find out more about hate crime.

Information on how to report hate crime as well as about the support available will also be given at the event which takes place at The Courtyard on Monday September 14 between 1pm and 6pm.

Members of the local safer neighbourhood policing team and community safety partnership will be on hand to answer questions on hate crime, as well as a number of other organisations.

Neville Meredith from the Herefordshire Sustainable Communities Team, said: "Nationally, we know that hate crimes are underreported; this means there are a huge number of people not getting support and many people who are committing these offences not being challenged to explain their actions.

"This event is part of a wider strategy aimed at giving victims of hate crime the confidence to come forward and report their ordeal. We are committed to working with the police and other local groups to achieve this and ensure that victims of hate crime receive the support they need."

A hate crime is any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated by a hostility or prejudice based on a person's race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, transgender, individual characteristic that makes someone appear different such as an alternative lifestyle, culture physical appearance and style of dress.