Hate crime app is launched in West Yorkshire

Halifax MP Holly Lynch is working with West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson to tackle hate crime through the app.

Stop Hate UK is funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner and has been developed in conjunction with the charity Stop Hate.

It works by allowing people to take a picture, video or audio recording and upload it directly from their phone.

Their phone can then give an automatic GPS location for the incident.

Incidents of hate crime have increased across the country over recent months with offences including verbal abuse or harassment of people because of their race, religion or sexual orientation.

It comes as many of Yorkshire’s senior police and politicians attended the West Yorkshire Hate Crimes Summit to review the Government’s plans for tackling hate crime.

Miss Lynch said: “Hate crime has no place in our region.

“West Yorkshire is made up of different communities and we are proud of our diversity.

“I have been alarmed at the increase in reports of hate crime, particularly since the European referendum, which is why we need tough action.”

The app is available to download from the Google Play or the Apple store.