Warrington has secured a prestigious award for tackling hate crime in the town following ‘relentless’ efforts.

The accolade was given in recognition of Warrington Hate Crime Action Alliance’s ‘commitment to diversity and partnerships’ with services and charities.

The alliance is made up of Cheshire Police, Warrington Borough Council, Warrington Disability Partnership, the Youth Council, Warrington Ethnic Communities Association, Speak Up, NHS Warrington CCG, North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and community representatives.

The group won the Local Authority Upstander Award for its partnership approach.

Deputy chair of the alliance Cllr Tony Higgins, the council’s cabinet member for leisure and community, said: “Winning such an important award is a delight for the Warrington Alliance.

“We’re so happy that the efforts of the partnership have been recognised and commended, not only by the people of Warrington, but also nationally through the NO2H8 awards.

“For this coming year, the alliance will continue its hard work and it has already secured funding to promote hate crime awareness locally.”

Chief inspector Simon Meegan, who chairs the alliance, hailed the council for its efforts.

He said: “The local authority has worked relentlessly with the police, volunteers and community partners to tackle hate crime in the Warrington area.”

Youth councillor and alliance member Louis Groarke said making sure young people understand different communities is key to ensuring future generations ‘don’t have as much of an issue’ with hate crime and intolerance ‘as we do at the moment’.