HATE crime levels are unacceptable across the country, Greater Manchester Police’s chief officer has warned.

Addressing the Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester, Chief Constable Peter Fahy said that prejudice and ignorance were the main causes of hate crime.

There are more than 5,000 recorded hate crime incidents in the UK each year.

Mr Fahy said he was optimistic about the future, however, because young people “get it” and want to meet and understand people of other races.

He said: “What unites us is far more powerful than what divides us. We need to find more ways of celebrating diversity.”

Mr Fahy also stressed the importance of good community relations to prevent large-scale disorder.

He said: “We have got to be good at picking up tensions and rumours.

“This is a serious issue that, if handled badly, can lead to riots and attacks.”

The biggest concern, Mr Fahy said, was in white, working class communities where deprivation, isolation and lack of education help racists to flourish.

He also applauded the way faith groups responded to demonstrations by the English Defence League without being provoked.

Forum chairman Jonny Wineberg said: “We look forward to the police following the positive agenda outlined by Peter Fahy in engaging with our communities and celebrating diversity.”