PLEASE NOTE: THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE OF VENUE DUE TO THE POPULARITY OF THIS EVENT. IT WILL NOW BE HELD IN REDDITCH AS BELOW.

As in previous years, the annual Hate Crime Awareness Conference will take place later this month, with three high profile and influential guest speakers.

The 14th of October will return to being an in-person event, hosted by the North Worcestershire Hate Incident Partnership, where residents can hear directly from three special guest speakers as part of Hate Crime Awareness Week.

This year’s high-profile speakers include Azeem Rafiq - inspiring anti-racism campaigner and former professional cricketer at Yorkshire County Cricket Club; the Rt. Hon. Stuart Lawrence - coach, motivational speaker, and the younger brother of hate crime victim Stephen Lawrence; and award-winning music producer Shahid Khan – more commonly known as Naughty Boy - who has worked with some of the biggest artists in the music industry.

The event will run from 10am until 12 noon at Redditch Town Hall (Walter Stranz Square Redditch, B98 8AH), and the conference is open to all Partner agencies, Elected Members, and members of the public living and working in North Worcestershire. This is a bookable event so to secure your space at the Conference, please email: communitysafety@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk

Cllr Nyear Nazir, whose Portfolio covers Community Safety in the Borough, said: “Hate Crime can happen to anyone, in any walk of life. It is so important that we hold events like this to help raise awareness and stamp out hate crime. Events like these help inform and educate us all and pave the way so that people can seek support, and no-one feels they have to suffer in silence. Our team has pulled together an absolutely amazing line up of guest speakers and I hope lots of Redditch residents can join us for the event.”

The North Worcestershire Hate Incident Partnership members have been working together to devise a programme of activities across the districts in support of the national weeklong campaign. These activities are intended to raise awareness of how to recognise Hate Crime and encourage members of the public to report incidents whether they are a victim, a witness or third party.

For more information on the Hate Crime Awareness events, please contact Sarah McIntosh on 0300 303 8838 or visit the website