‘No room for hate crime’: West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner speaks out ahead of Birmingham Pride

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Simon Foster said he remained committed to tackling hate crime in the West Midlands, warning perpetrators it would not be tolerated.

Mr Foster will take part in the Birmingham Pride Parade on Saturday (May 24) and said he was looking forward to the event, adding it reflected the progress that had been made.

The PCC invests £150,000 a year in the first West Midlands-wide dedicated service to support victims of hate crime, offering emotional, personal and practical support to people who have been subjected to hate crime.

Extra funding has also been put in place to provide additional support for LGBTQ+ victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Mr Foster said: “I am committed to ensuring we prevent and tackle hate crime. Hate crime is abhorrent and it will not be tolerated in the West Midlands.

“Being a victim of hate crime is deeply distressing and it is a matter of serious concern to me.

“I encourage anyone who is a victim of hate crime to report it direct to the police or to a third-party reporting centre.

“I expect West Midlands Police to take the report seriously, investigate and take action, so that perpetrators are held to account and face the consequences of their criminal activity, via the criminal justice system.

“The investment I have made ensures victims of hate crime and witnesses will have access to dedicated hate crime victim support services, whether they have reported the matter to the police or not.”

Birmingham Pride Parade will see thousands of participants walking, marching or aboard decorated floats. It is expected to be viewed by more than 75,000 people on the streets of Birmingham.

The festival main stage will see a host of stars performing on Saturday and Sunday including the likes of The Wanted, Cascada, Clean Bandit, Una Healy, Bananarama, Vengaboys, Alexandra Burke and Claire Richards.