As part of National Hate Crime Awareness Week, West Mercia Police is urging people who want to make a difference in their community to consider joining one of their Independent Advisory Groups (IAGs).

IAGs are made up of members of the community and offer the police impartial advice on a range of subjects. They meet every two to three months with local officers to help shape policing, now and in the future.

As well as there being IAGs for each local policing area, there are three themed IAGs representing Disability, BME and LGBT communities. Members of these groups offer bespoke impartial advice on issues affecting their communities.

Chief Superintendent, Charles Hill, hate crime lead for Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police, said: “IAG members are our eyes and ears in the community. They help us to identify concerns in the community and play a key role in helping us to develop our policing plans.

“This is especially helpful in the area of hate crime where the victims frequently come from groups who we often struggle to engage with. Their role is vital in helping us to build links into these communities and improve relationships and confidence in the police.

“We are particularly keen to increase the numbers of younger people who are willing to be part of our IAG networks. If you are under 25 years of age please contact us for an informal chat about the role.”

If you are interested in becoming an IAG member, or if you would like more information please contact Kal Parkash by telephone on 07794512208, by e-mail

For more information, visit: www.westmercia.police.uk/iag