Councillors are encouraging people to get behind a national campaign which seeks to tackle rising hate crime.

The #nobystander movement, headed by LGBT rights group Stonewall, runs alongside Hate Crime Awareness Week, which wants people to appreciate the importance of reporting hate crimes.

Harrow Council, along with schools, the police and other community groups, has pledged to support the movement by raising awareness.

Cllr Sue Anderson, responsible for community, culture and resident engagement at Harrow Council, said: “Hate crime is not just a crime against the individual, it’s an attack on the values of our community – and there is no place for it in Harrow.

“No one should ever be made to feel intimidated. We may not always understand each other’s differences and we don’t have to, but showing respect and courtesy helps us all get along.

“If you ever witness such behaviour, or are a victim, please report it to prevent similar acts happening to someone else and increase chances of perpetrators being brought to justice.”

A hate crime is generally described as a physical or verbal act of violence and discrimination against an individual’s identity.

This can relate to their faith, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, age, nationality, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different.

If you or anyone you know experiences a hate crime, it can be reported to Stop Hate UK at talk@stophate.org or on 0800 138 1625.

To watch the #nobystander campaign video and sign the pledge against hate crime, visit www.harrow.gov.uk/HateCrime