POLICE will today launch the latest phase of their Hidden Harm campaign.

The operation has already seen Thames Valley Police focus on sexual exploitation, modern slavery, online abuse and other areas of criminal activity, and now the attention turns to hate crime.

A hate crime is any crime committed against a person which is perceived to be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or transgender identity.

Running over two weeks to coincide with National Hate Crime Awareness Week from October 12 to 20, the campaign aims to increase public understanding about this type of abuse and encourage those that witness a hate crime or are a victim of it, to report it.

Chief Inspector Helen Roberts, Thames Valley Police’s Hate Crime lead will help launch the latest part of the campaign today.

Hidden Harm is collaborating with Victims First, the police's partners for this phase of the campaign.

The group supports victims of all types of crime including hate crime.