Statement for National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2025

The Borough of Reading is one of the most diverse in the country, and we in the Reading Liberal Democrats are fiercely proud of our town's diversity and vibrancy.  We Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which no-one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity.

We believe that these are British values, and we’re proud of them. 

What is a hate crime? It is an offence motivated by hostility towards someone’s perceived difference, towards their disability, faith, race, sexual orientation or transgender identity. Hate crimes are the antithesis of what we Lib Dems stand for: they are not part of the society we seek to build and safeguard. We want to see a healthy society with respect at its heart – respect for ourselves and for our neighbours.

There is no place for hate in Reading.

We stand with the victims of hate crime, this National Hate Crime Awareness Week and always. Organisations seeking to foster understanding, reduce hate, and help the victims of hate crime do invaluable work. We are always willing to collaborate to improve outcomes and advocacy, locally and nationally.

Yours in solidarity,

The Reading Liberal Democrats

The 11th of October marks the beginning of National Hate Crime Awareness Week, which runs from the 11th to the 18th of October this year.