Police and crime commissioner, Jason Ablewhite hosted community organisations, dignitaries and celebrities at Cambridgeshire Police headquarters on Friday as part of a community celebration.

Ely Standard: (Left to right) Back row: Dr Andrew Harter (High Sheriff), Chief Constable Nick Dean (Cambs Constabulary), Jason Ablewhite (PCC). Front Row: Sam Davis (Chairperson, LPUK), Raymond Griffiths (LPUK), Harrison Davis (LPUK), Warwick Davis (President, LPUK),(Left to right) Back row: Dr Andrew Harter (High Sheriff), Chief Constable Nick Dean (Cambs Constabulary), Jason Ablewhite (PCC). Front Row: Sam Davis (Chairperson, LPUK), Raymond Griffiths (LPUK), Harrison Davis (LPUK), Warwick Davis (President, LPUK), (Image: Archant)

Actor Warwick Davis and High Sheriff Dr Andrew Harter joined the commissioner at ‘Celebrating Us’, marking the end of National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2018.

The event offered an opportunity for communities from across the county to come together, whatever their background, to celebrate their religions and cultures and learn something about each other.

The event was held in conjunction with Cambridgeshire police with newly appointed chief constable Nick Dean and hate crime officer DC Tiff Lane speaking.

After a brief presentation from Voicebility Speak Out Councillors Bill Jones and Sean Nightingale and a special video message from disability rights campaigner Sir Tom Shakespeare, guests were invited to make a pledge in support of hate crime awareness.

Ely Standard: (left to right) Back row: Jason Ablewhite (PCC), Bill Jones (Voicebility Speak Out Council), Sean Nightingale (Voicability Speak Out Council, Christian Swarbrick (Voicebility). Front Row: Sam Davis (Chairperson, LPUK), Harrison Davis (LPUK), Warwick Davis (President, LPUK), Raymond Griffiths (LPUK)(left to right) Back row: Jason Ablewhite (PCC), Bill Jones (Voicebility Speak Out Council), Sean Nightingale (Voicability Speak Out Council, Christian Swarbrick (Voicebility). Front Row: Sam Davis (Chairperson, LPUK), Harrison Davis (LPUK), Warwick Davis (President, LPUK), Raymond Griffiths (LPUK) (Image: Archant)

The celebration was supported by a number of national groups, including the Guide Dogs Trust, the Alzheimer’s Society and Little People UK (LPUK). A ‘marketplace’ allowed guests to interact with national and local community groups to share ideas and raise awareness for their causes.

Mr Ablewhite said: “It was truly wonderful to see so many people come together, from so many of the communities that make up our county, to celebrate life and love in all its forms.

“We have a diverse community in Cambridgeshire that I am proud to represent, and it is vital that we recognise everyone’s right to live free from harassment and the fear of hate crime.

“As long as there are those who seek to spread hatred, we shall come together to fight it.”