COMMUNITY groups with a good way to battle hate crime have been invited to bid for funding.

John Dwyer, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, has a pot of £60,000 available to award to an innovative project that supports victims of hate crime.

He said: "We know that hate crime of all types is under reported and for many reasons, people do not feel comfortable reporting crimes against them due to a disability, their race or religion, sexual orientation or identity to the police.

"I am inviting organisations who work with diverse groups to pitch for a share of the money.

"I am asking them to add value to existing services across the Cheshire policing area by supporting victims of hate crime and helping them to cope and recover.

"I am also looking for projects that seek to prevent or raise awareness of hate crime.

"Hate crime is abhorrent to me and I am seeking to address the needs of people who perceive that a crime has been committed against them based on prejudice."

More information is available on how to apply can be found online at cheshire-pcc.gov.uk.