LGBT figures in the borough are speaking out against hate crimes to encourage people to report it when they see or become a victim of it.

To draw attention to Hate Crime Awareness Week, some notable figures in the LGBT community are sharing their experiences with prejudice to promote reporting to the police.

Police in Waltham Forest are cracking down on prejudice by reminding the public of the more than 900 specially trained investigators dealing with hate crimes.

In a video made by the council, programme manager, Dianne Andrews, described hate crime as any incident which is motivated by hostility or prejudice towards a person because of who they are.

She added: “It can be disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender hate crime.”

Independent cllr Tim Bennett-Goodman, of Higham Hill ward, revealed his disturbing experience with hate crime.

He said: “I’m an out gay councillor in Waltham Forest and I have been a victim of hate crime.

“I was name-called on the high street in Walthamstow which was the first time that had ever happened and it really surprised and shocked me.”

Reverend Jide Macaulay, who founded the House of Rainbow, in Walthamstow, to provide support for gay and bisexual men living with HIV, hopes more is done about hate crime.

He added: “As a black gay man in London I have experienced hate crime, especially homophobic abuses and racism and I find it extremely disturbing.”

Superintendent, Tania Coulson said Waltham Forest receives hundreds of reports of hate crime each year.

She added: “Want to increase reporting, we want to increase the confidence that our community’s feel in reporting hate crime.”

If you are a victim or a witness to hate crime and it is an emergency dial 999, in a non-emergency dial 101.

For more information, visit www.walthamforest.gov.uk/content/hate-crime.