WORKSHOPS, information stalls and activities are taking place across Oldham as part of Greater Manchester's Hate Crime Awareness Week.

Funded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and running until February 9, the events have been organised to help residents get a better understanding of what hate crime is, how they can help to prevent it in their area and get support.

Hate crime is an act of violence or hostility that is directed at a person or group because of who they are or what they think they are.

It comes in many different forms such as physical attacks, a threat of attack and verbal abuse or insults, and anyone can be affected by such incidents.

Sadly most hate crime goes unreported and the awareness week aims to encourage those affected to talk openly in a safe environment.

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Co-operatives, said: “We do not tolerate hate crime. We all have a right to live without fear, hostility and intimidation from others because of who we are.

“Most hate crimes are not reported and we don’t want people suffering in silence. That is why these events are taking place to make more people aware of what hate crime is so they can report future incidents that they may be a victim of or witness to.”

Greater Manchester Police will host information stalls at a variety of locations throughout Oldham during the week.

These will be held:

Monday, February 5: Tesco Supermarket, Featherstall Road, Oldham, 5pm to 7pm.

Tuesday, February 6: Oldham Library, Greaves Street, Oldham, 11am until 1pm.

Wednesday, February 7: Neon Centre, Holt Street, Oldham, 11am until 1pm.

Wednesday, February 7: Greater Manchester Police information stall at a touch rugby game taking place at Oldham Community Leisure, Rochdale Road, 4pm until 5pm.

Thursday, February 8: Greater Manchester Police information stall at Honeywell Centre, Hadfield Street, Oldham, 1pm until 5pm

Friday, February 9: Oldham Market Hall, Albion Street, Oldham, 10am until 12noon.

There will also be art and craft stalls at a awareness event run by Westwood and Coldhurst Community Women’s Association on February 6.

Open from 12noon until 4pm at OBA Millennium Centre, Featherstall Road North, the event will enable women from the community to attend and obtain information around hate crime.

On February 7 there will be a hate crime workshop, run by Future Directions for people with learning disabilities and autism at Marle House, Broadway Business Park while on Saturday, February 10, there will be arts and crafts activities for the community at Greenhill Football Club Sports Complex Centre, Havelock Street, from 12noon.

Age UK Oldham and the LGBTQ Group at the George Street Chapel will host a town centre awareness event from 12noon until 3pm with information stalls from LGBTQ organisations and speakers from the local LGBTQ community. There will also be an awarenss stall in the town centre between 12noon and 2.30pm from Oldham Rainbow Association.

From 1pm, Dovetales International Trust will host a lunch and after dinner speaker talking about Hate Crime, with crafts and games in the afternoon at 5-7 Beal Lane.

On Sunday, there will be an arts project at Café Mandels, Dunwood Park, Shaw between 1pm and 4pm. The "Reflections of Love and Hate Crime" project is organised in partnership with Oldham Play Action Group and Right Opportunities CIC to create a series of large wooden framed mirrors decorated by participants to explore questions and issues around hate crime.

Finally a hate-crime theamed event will take place between 3.30pm and 5.30pm at The Zone, Madina Institute Mosque and Community Hub, Mount Pleasant Business Centre, Jackson Street, Oldham. The event, by Planet Mercy, will include hate crime-themed; presentations, short talks, arts and crafts, a children’s performance, a workshop and a performance on diversity.

For a full programme of what is taking place visit: www.oldham.gov.uk/hatecrimeawarenessweek

People are also being urged to sign up to the Greater Manchester Promise and say they will never stand by if they see someone being abused or attacked because of who they are.

Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Bev Hughes said: “The people of Greater Manchester have shown the world how we stand together in solidarity against those who would seek to divide us, and in support of those who face violence or abuse because of who they are.

“Our voice is stronger if we speak together, and if people sign the promise, it sends out a clear message that we stand together.”

People can sign up at letsendhatecrime.com/promise

If you have been affected by a hate crime, even if you’re unsure that you’ve been a victim, it is important that you speak to someone. In an emergency call 999 and in a non-emergency call 101 or go to a nearby police station and report it.

Hate crime can also be reported online at http://www.report-it.org.uk/home

For more information on hate crime please visit letsendhatecrime.com or call the Victim Support Services helpline: 0161 200 1950.