FAST food outlets in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale are joining forces with police to tackle hate crimes.

Posters will be displayed in takeaways urging victims to report any crimes against disability, gender, race, religion, belief or sexual orientation.

Officers will also visit takeaways to encourage staff to report any abusive customers.

Detective Sergeant Phil Turner, from Pennine Division’s hate crime and diversity team, said: “Hate crime of any description will not be tolerated in Pennine Division.

“It is simply not acceptable to abuse or hurt someone simply because of their race, sexual orientation or gender for example.

“All incidents reported to us are treated with utmost seriousness.

“That’s why we’re extending this campaign to encourage people to report incidents and to discourage people from committing hate crime offences.”

The campaign, launched in July, involved taxi firms across Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale being issued with window stickers and posters for cab officers, which encouraged victims to report hate crime.

Police said it had been so well received that it was to continued and extended to takeaways.

DS Turned urged hate crime victims not to suffer in silence.

He said: “I would encourage anyone experiencing hate crime to act and report it.

“They can do this either via local police of if they prefer, via Stop Hate UK on 0800 138 1625.”