South Yorkshire police has renewed its pledge to stand up against hate in all its forms across Sheffield this Zero Discrimination Day today.

Hate crime is any criminal offence which is motivated by prejudice or hostility and can be in the form of physical assault, damage to property, offensive graffiti, arson or inciting hatred online.

Chief Inspector Andy Berriman, hate crime lead for the South Yorkshire police said: “Whilst this might seem a nightmare, this is the reality that many hate crime victims in South Yorkshire face and it has to stop.”

Chief Insp Berriman added: “I cannot promise we will detect all hate crime offences however we will do are very best, I can promise you will receive the support you need as a result of what can be a traumatic ordeal for many when a hate crime is reported to us.”

Hate incidents can include offensive or insulting comments, online, in person or in writing about a person’s race, religion, gender identity, disability or sexual orientation.

The police can only prosecute when the law is broken.

South Yorkshire police urge any victim of hate crime to come forward and report it. hate crime can be reported to the police by using the 101 phone number or 999 in an emergency.

South Yorkshire Assistant chief constable Dan Thorpe said: “Let’s all do our part to make South Yorkshire a place where people can live without the fear of being targeted.

“Hate hurts, let’s put a stop to it.”

South Yorkshire police have a dedicated hate crime page where members of the public can find details of third party reporting centres in Sheffield for victims who do not want to report directly to the police.

Information on Zero Discrimination Day is being shared by South Yorkshire police via their Twitter and Facebook page.