Home Office data reveals reported incidents of hate crime in Sussex have quadrupled since 2012.

On national hate crime awareness week, from October 8 to October 16, charities, the police and the council are coming together to raise awareness and encourage victims to report their experiences.

The disability charity Possibility People is working with the Racial Harassment Forum and the Rainbow Hub to encourage victims to report hate crime.

Mirana Choudhury, coordinator of the third party reporting centre at the Racial Harassment Forum said: “The increase in hate crime in the area is not to do with reporting.

"We have the reporting centre to encourage more reporting, but there has been a real increase in hate crime over the past few years.”

Throughout the week, Sussex Police will be holding briefings at local schools to explain what hate crime is and how to report it.

Superintendent Nick Dias, Sussex Police’s hate crime lead, said: “We know over the last few years, there has been an increase in reports of hate crime and that people will be concerned by this.

“We encourage people to come forward so we can respond effectively, identifying those responsible and supporting those affected.”

"We are committed to making sure hate crime in any form is not tolerated in Sussex, and we work with our partners to achieve this.”

The Rainbow Hub, a support network for LGBT+ people and the Racial Harassment Forum work as third-party reporting centres, separate from the police.

Ms Choudhury said: “If people have had a bad experience with the police, we are somewhere else they can come to. We take victims seriously and offer a fully confidential service. They do not have to prove anything to us.”

On Thursday, October 13, Sussex Police will be holding a drop-in session at the Rainbow Hub on Jubilee Street to

The Rainbow Hub have organised a vigil on Thursday, October 13 in Jubilee Square at 6pm to commemorate victims of hate crime and support survivors.