Disability Wales and Dyfed-Powys Police have pledged to work closer together to combat disability hate crime.

Chief executive of Disability Wales, Rhian Davies, opened a conference at Llandrindod Wells recently where all four Welsh police forces agreed to try and improve the police service for disabled people.

Dyfed-Powys Police has reiterated that there are 52 specially trained officers to deal with hate crime victims within the force, offering advice and guidance.

Chief Inspector Nigel George said: “The aim of the scheme is to enhance the force’s operational response to hate crime and thereby delivering a top quality service.

“The hate crime support officers will ensure that the police response meets a consistent high quality standard and they will also assist and support victims, as well as facilitating other agencies’ help and involvement.”

Hate crime community engagement officer for Dyfed-Powys Police, Rhian Glynn, said: “Victims of hate crime often find it difficult to report it to us.

“We take all hate crime seriously and additional support is available for victims of such incidences.”

The conference heard that the new All Wales hate crime third party reporting enables victims, witnesses or other third parties to report hate incidents.

The initiative is backed by the police, Safer Wales and the Welsh Assembly.

Reports can be made at the website www.saferwales.com, or by completing a hate crime reporting form, which is available across Wales.

If anyone is a victim of hate crime, they can contact Dyfed-Powys Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. Or they can use the third party reporting form.