POLICE have partnered with a public transport service to tackle disability hate crime amid a rise in offences in North Wales over the last five years.

North Wales Police and Arriva Buses launched the joint education campaign after recent figures revealed by disability charity Leonard Cheshire showed a 64 per cent rise in disability hate crime – including violent offences and cyber bullying – from 2017 to 2019.

A hate crime includes verbal abuse, assault or criminal damage that is motivated by prejudice of a person because of their disability, race, religion or nationality, gender or sexual orientation.

The education campaign will put police posters on every Arriva bus in North Wales to urge members of the public to report a hate crime they witness and tell perpetrators that their behaviour is not tolerated. It will also feature an social media campaign titled #NotOnMyBus.

Greg George, head of diversity for North Wales Police said: “We want to raise the profile of disability hate crime and are working with Arriva on this campaign to send a clear message to the community.

“We are keen to ensure potential perpetrators understand that this type of crime is unacceptable.”

Anthony Holyfield, Arriva Buses' operational manager for North Wales, added: “It is important that people feel safe travelling on our buses and we send a clear message to perpetrators of hate crime that this will not be tolerated.”

If you witness a hate crime, contact North Wales Police by calling 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers.