RYEDALE District Council is joining with North Yorkshire Police to raise awareness of hate crime.

A hate crime is a crime which is committed against a person because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender or disability. It can involve physical assault, bullying, harassment, damage to a person’s property, verbal abuse or insults or offensive graffiti or hate mail.

Council and police officers will be in Malton Market Place on Saturday, October 19, from 9am to 3pm, to provide information on hate crime and how to get help. Also at the event will be the local mini-police – youngsters who take part in community events with the police.

Bridget Skaife, one of Ryedale District Council’s community officers, said: “Hate crime is not trivial. These incidents can be very frightening and damaging, and we want to send a clear message that there is no place for hate crime in Ryedale.

“It’s National Hate Crime Awareness Week this week, so we’re playing our part to make sure that anyone who suffers from this kind of abuse knows how to report it, and how to get help.”

For more information on National Hate Crime Awareness Week, go to nationalhcaw.uk/report-hate-crime