OFFICIALS in Gloucestershire are developing new ways to tackle disability hate crime across the county.

Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) recently held a disability hate crime event to understand how best to tackle the issue which brought together Gloucestershire police, South West Crown Prosecution Service, victim support and Restorative Gloucestershire, as well as people with disabilities.

A hate crime is a criminal offence which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person’s disability or perceived disability.

Deputy leader of GCC Cllr Ray Theodoulou said: “We and our partners are committed to combating disability hate crime in Gloucestershire. This event brought together a number of organisations and people all determined to raise awareness of hate crime.”