EVENTS are taking place across Worcestershire promoting efforts to tackle hate crime.

West Mercia Police are asking people to sign a pledge to take-on hate crime.

During Hate Crime Awareness Week 2016, which runs from Saturday October 8 until Saturday October 15, police will be taking pledge boards out to a series of events and asking people to sign them and make their commitment. 

Chief superintendent Lee Davenport, hate crime lead for Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police, said: "We know that hate crimes are underreported and we all have a role to play in tackling the problem and encouraging victims to come forward to report their ordeal.

"Whilst the low number of incidents reported to us would suggest that we do not have a significant hate crime problem in the area, it is sad that people still feel that it is acceptable to victimise people because of who they are.

"By signing this pledge, people are making the commitment to stand up to these people and making it clear that their behaviour will not be accepted."

People signing the board make the following pledge:

1.I will not tolerate hate crime.

2.If I see a hate crime I will report it.

3.If I know someone has been a victim of hate crime, I will talk to them about reporting it.

People can do so between 12pm and 2pm on Tuesday at Spar shop car park, Wells Road, Malvern, or on Wednesday at Sainsbury's in Windermere Drive, Warndon between 12pm and 1.30pm.

Between 1.30pm and 3pm people can sign the pledge at Lidl in Blackpole and on Friday they can sign at 7.30pm in Number 8 Cinema, High Street, Pershore at the screening of the film Pride.