Birmingham City Council is encouraging residents to stand together against hate crime as the city prepares to mark Hate Crime Awareness Week from 10 to 17 October.
Working with partners including West Midlands Police and community organisations, the council’s community cohesion team will take the campaign directly into neighbourhoods across Birmingham through a dedicated awareness roadshow and community engagement programme.
The week aims to increase awareness of hate crime, encourage victims and witnesses to report incidents, and highlight the support available to those affected.
As part of the campaign, a specially branded digivan will visit communities across the city, providing information, signposting residents to support services and encouraging conversations about the impact of hate crime on individuals, families and communities.
The campaign carries a clear message: Stop Hate Crime. Report It.
Research consistently shows that hate crime remains underreported, with many people unsure about what constitutes a hate crime, how to report it, or what support is available. The campaign seeks to address these barriers by providing accessible information in local communities and helping residents understand the role they can play in creating safer neighbourhoods.
Councillor Jane Baston, Cabinet Member for Equalities, Communities and Social Justice, said:
"Birmingham is proud to be one of the most diverse cities in Europe, and our diversity is one of our greatest strengths. Hate crime has no place in our city and no place in our communities.
"Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected, regardless of their race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. Through Hate Crime Awareness Week, we want to help people understand what hate crime is, how to report it and where to access support.
"We know that many incidents go unreported. Every report helps build a clearer picture of what is happening in our communities, helps support victims and enables partners to take action. I would encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses hate crime to come and speak to us during the week, find out more and help us make Birmingham a city where hate has no place."
The roadshow will begin with a launch event outside the Council House on Friday 9 October from 3pm to 5pm, bringing together community safety partners and elected members to mark the start of the campaign.
The digivan will then visit locations across Birmingham throughout the week, including:
Saturday 10 October:
8pm to 9pm: New Street Station, Navigation Street
9pm to 10pm: Birmingham city centre (opposite) Missing Bar & Club, B5 6NU
12midnight: near Heitdi’s on Broad Stree
Sunday 11 October:
1pm to 2pm: Handsworth Library, Soho Road, B21 9DP
2pm to 3pm: St Paul's Square/Jewellery Quarter, B3 1QZ
Tuesday 13 October:
10am to 11am: Queen Alexandra College, Harborne, B17 9TG
1pm to 2pm: University of Birmingham
3pm to 4pm: Snow Hill station, opposite Tesco Express
Wednesday 14 October:
10:30am to 11:30am: Tays Corner, Bristol Road South, Northfield, B31 2NN
1pm to 2pm: Longbridge Retail Park, B31 2UQ (outside M&S)
3:30pm to 4:30pm: Weoley Castle Square, B29 5P2
Thursday 15 October:
12:30pm: Erdington High Street and surrounding areas
3pm to 4pm: Kings Heath Village Square and surrounding areas
Saturday 17 October:
12:00pm: Birmingham Hippodrome, B5 4TB
5pm onwards: Birmingham city centre High Street, outside Waterstones
Residents will be able to speak directly with representatives from the council and partner organisations, learn more about recognising hate crime, understand reporting options and access information about available support services.
For more information about Hate Crime Awareness Week visit the council's website or follow their social media channels.
