AN EVENT to discuss Islamophobia and hate crime attracted an audience of more than 150 people.

The cross party event was organised by Labour parliamentary candidate for Batley and Spen, Jo Cox, sponsored by the Pakistani and Kashmiri Welfare Association at Staincliffe, Batley.

Speakers included former Conservative communities minister Baroness Warsi (pictured) and West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson. Mrs Cox said: “We should be very proud at the level of integration and harmony that we’ve built across the different communities in Batley and Spen and yet there is still work to do.

“I want us to have an evidence based, inclusive approach to tackling hate crime wherever it occurs, including in online forums. Whilst the safety of people in this country is paramount my worry is that if we rush to legislate in a climate of fear we could end up with bad policy, and with laws and practices which make Muslims feel targeted.”