WEST Mercia Police is backing the national Hate Crime Campaign in a bid to end intolerant behaviour.

The campaign, which was started by the Home Office, is intended to raise awareness about the legal definition of a hate crime.

Hate crimes are actions motivated by prejudice against certain elements of a person's identity, such as their sexual orientation, religion or race.

West Mercia Police Assistant Chief Constable Martin Evans said: "Many people think a hate crime is just about race and religion or physical violence, however, hate crime can come in many more forms which people might not realise is a criminal offence."

Hate crimes can also be based on prejudice towards a person's age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, and other things.

ACC Evans said: "A hate crime is not just physical violence it can include online and verbal abuse as well as harassment, intimidation, threats and bullying or damage to property based on prejudices.

"Being a victim of hate crime can have a huge impact on victims, no-one should be targeted by criminal behaviour simply because of who they are. It's not acceptable in our society and will not be tolerated.

"We work closely with our independent advisory groups to make sure we're doing all we can to tackle hate crime and make sure when people do come forward and report an incident to us they have the right support and are dealt with in a sensitive and compassionate manner and I would like to offer my assurances that we will deal with those committing hate crimes robustly.

"If anyone thinks they have been a victim of a hate crime we would urge them to get in contact with us so we can take action, likewise if someone witnesses a hate crime we would ask them to let us know. By working together we can really make a different in eradicating hate crime from our society."

To find out more about the Home Office's campaign visit www.gov.uk/hatecrime