A VIGIL aims to show solidarity with people affected by hate crime.

The Brighton and Hove Community Solidarity Vigil Against Hate Crime will take place tonight at 6pm outside the Rainbow Hub in St James's Street.

Green party councillors will be speaking at the event, which is being held to mark National Hate Crime Awareness week - running until Saturday.

Green Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty, who will attend today’s vigil, said: “No one should fear being attacked because of their sexuality, religion, race, disability or gender identity.

"But sadly, ten years after the establishment of National Hate Crime Awareness Week, hate crimes are still rising and we still need to show we stand united against them.

“Figures from the Home Office published just yesterday reveal transphobic hate crime has grown by more than a third and there’s been a 25 per cent increase in homophobic and biphobic hate crime in just one year.

"The total quantity of all hate crime increased by 10 per cent.

“Sadly the only thing more disturbing than these figures is the statistics for the city which say that on transphobic and disability hate crimes, we are actually ahead.

"In the last year alone, the number of recorded transphobic hate crimes increased by 43 per cent - and disability motivated hate crimes by 27 per cent on the previous year.

“We have some of the strongest Sussex Police support on the issue of hate crimes-for example conviction rates have significantly improved.

"But we know that there are still concerns around the effectiveness of reporting.

"According to figures from Stonewall, 81 per cent of LGBT people who experienced a hate crime didn't report it to the police. 

“But we can only effectively stand against hate crime when the government provides the funding to prevent it.

“In spite of the political turmoil of Brexit that has seen hate crimes rise -  and stay high - it has never been more important that we work together to stamp out hatred.

"Green Party councillors will continue to raise awareness, push for better sentencing and support for survivors.”