A HOUSING association has launched mandatory hate crime awareness training for its 700-strong

workforce.

Fortis Living, which manages social housing across Worcestershire, plans for all employees to complete the training within the next 12 months.

Fortis has a history of initiatives to tackle hate crime, including drop-in surgeries at Tallow Hill Mosque for people to report issues.

The housing association is also a third party hate crime reporting centre which means that tenants and residents can report offences to Fortis as well as to the police.

 Hate crime figures rose 37.5 per cent in the West Mercia region between April 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017 and the previous 12 months.

Philip Fowler, board diversity champion at Fortis,said : “The Board is collectively worried to see an increase in reported hate crime.  We all stand firmly against hate crime with our

many partners. 

"Our approach is one of zero tolerance and we will enforce our hate crime policy rigorously. 

"The vast majority of hate crime still goes unreported and we urge anyone including third parties witnessing incidents to report them to the police

straight away. 

"We are committed to creating diverse and strong communities and our approach to tackling hate is part of this commitment.”