At its most recent full council meeting (Thursday 21 July), Lancashire County Council unanimously passed a notice of motion unequivocally condemning racism, xenophobia and hate crimes.

The notice of motion was brought by County Councillor Julie Gibson, Lead Member for Community Safety, who said: "Recent weeks have seen a troubling increase in the reporting of hate crimes and I felt it was important for the county council to publicly state that there is no place for hate crimes of any description here in Lancashire.

"Our county has a reputation for friendliness, diversity and tolerance and a great track record of working together to tackle racism, xenophobia and hate crime. I'm proud that the county council has made this statement and hope it will encourage anyone who has been a victim of hate crime to come forward and ask for support."

County Councillor Jennifer Mein, Leader of the County Council, said: "At a time when it appears that intolerance in many forms is on the rise, it is crucially important to stand up and say that there is no place for it in Lancashire. The county council is here to serve all of the people of Lancashire, in all of our communities, and I'm pleased we have sent out this message."

Notice of Motion by County Councillor Julie Gibson, full text:

Lancashire County Council condemns racism, xenophobia and hate crimes unequivocally. Racism, xenophobia and hate crimes of any description have no place in our country or our county.

We are proud to live in a diverse and tolerant society and note that a lot of good work is taking place across Lancashire:

• The Lancashire Strategic Hate Crime Group has published its hate crime strategy and there is a dedicated hate crime unit within Lancashire Constabulary
• There are excellent examples of partnership working to tackle racism, xenophobia and hate crime between the County Council, Borough and District Councils, Lancashire Constabulary, the Office of the PCC and the voluntary, community and faith sectors across the County.

This Council wants to assure all of the County's residents and visitors that they are valued members of our society and as elected representatives of the diverse communities across Lancashire, Full Council is asked to place on record that the County Council will not tolerate hate crime, racism or xenophobia in its communities.

This Council resolves to:

• Display the opening paragraph in this motion prominently on the county council website and that a press release is issued to publicise the motion.
• Ask the scrutiny committee to review the current measures taken to counter racism, xenophobia, and hate crime and report back to Full Council.
• Support and work with people who are victims of hate crime, racism or xenophobia to feel confident in coming forward and reporting it.