SOUTHCHURCH will host Southend’s first Hate Crime Convention, aimed at raising awareness of the issue among people with learning disabilities.

The event will take place at the Plaza Centre in Southchurch Road, and is being jointly hosted by Southend Mencap and Essex Police.

It is open to anyone with a learning disability and their carers and friends.

There will be information and support on the new project aimed at specifically tackling the ever growing number of hate incidents against people with learning disabilities.

It will also feature performances by the Mushroom Theatre Company and Southend Mencap’s Music Man Project, demonstrating how the organisation supports those with learning disabilities.

Southend Mencap is the first organisation to be trained as an Essex Police accredited ‘Hate Incident Reporting Centre’ and it will be officially launching the new service at the conference.

The charity will provide a base for those wanting to report hate crimes in a secure and comfortable location other than at a police station.

Southend Mencap general manager Marc McOwens said: “We at Southend Mencap obviously feel incredibly strongly about eradicating hate related incidents against all people with learning disabilities and by having the support of Essex Police means we have their complete backing in making sure all reported incidents are given the utmost priority.

People with learning disabilities should not have to live with being subjected to hate related incidents and we are determined this newproject will give them the confidence to start speaking up.”

The event takes place on October 7, from 10am to 1pm.

Call Southend Mencap on 01702 341250 for further information