THIRTEEN hate crimes were recorded against people with disabilities in Kirklees last year.

They included the harassment of a wheelchair user and the theft of property from a blind person.

But police, charities and support organisations believe the true figure is much higher.

The issue was brought into shocking focus nationally by the case of 38-year-old Fiona Pilkington who killed herself and her mentally disabled daughter, 18-year-old Francecca Hardwick, after a string of abuse from a gang.They died in Earl Shilton, Leicestershire, in October 2007 after 21 complaints to police failed to stop the harassment.

And now a campaign has started to stop such incidents going unreported in Kirklees.Kirklees Disability Working Group – made up of police, the Safer Stronger Communities group, Kirklees Involvement Network and Kirklees Council – is holding a conference in Huddersfield to raise awareness of the issues facing people with disabilities.Sarah Roberts from Kirklees Involvement Network said: “Hate crime is a part of life for many people with learning disabilities.“Nine out of 10 people will suffer some type of hate crime and disability hate crime in particular is not always reported.

”Examples of hate crime directed against people with a disability last year included a blind person who had property stolen when a delivery was made to their home and the abuse of a young wheelchair user by local residents.Threats were made against a deaf boy by other youths and a wheelchair user was subjected to abuse when he tried to use public transport.Clr Peter O’Neill, the council’s cabinet member for communities, said: “The council does not tolerate crime of any description and we are fully behind these awareness events.“We have several schemes to help people feel safe and secure – such as taxi marshals, street angels, community crime fighters and the ongoing project to install CCTV in taxis – and this is another important step.”The conference in Huddersfield will be at the Methodist Mission on Lord Street from 10am to 2pm on Wednesday .A similar event is planned for Dewsbury Minster on February 25.There will be information about support services, a stall run by police and packs telling people how to report crime.

A spokeswoman for learning disability charity Mencap said awareness was vital.She said: “The reason it’s under-reported and under-recorded is because it’s not always obvious that someone is being victimised because of their disability.“Also, people with learning disabilities don’t always have faith in the police and might not know how to report it when they are a victim of crime.“We are finding a lot more that people with disabilities are trying to live more independent lives, but this may make them more vulnerable to antisocial behaviour.“These conferences are a positive step.”Hardwick, after a string of abuse from a gang.

They died in Earl Shilton, Leicestershire, in October 2007 after 21 complaints to police failed to stop the harassment.

And now a campaign has started to stop such incidents going unreported in Kirklees.

Kirklees Disability Working Group – made up of police, the Safer Stronger Communities group, Kirklees Involvement Network and Kirklees Council – is holding a conference in Huddersfield to raise awareness of the issues facing people with disabilities.

Sarah Roberts from Kirklees Involvement Network said: “Hate crime is a part of life for many people with learning disabilities.

“Nine out of 10 people will suffer some type of hate crime and disability hate crime in particular is not always reported.”

Examples of hate crime directed against people with a disability last year included a blind person who had property stolen when a delivery was made to their home and the abuse of a young wheelchair user by local residents.

Threats were made against a deaf boy by other youths and a wheelchair user was subjected to abuse when he tried to use public transport.

Clr Peter O’Neill, the council’s cabinet member for communities, said: “The council does not tolerate crime of any description and we are fully behind these awareness events.

“We have several schemes to help people feel safe and secure – such as taxi marshals, street angels, community crime fighters and the ongoing project to install CCTV in taxis – and this is another important step.”

The conference in Huddersfield will be at the Methodist Mission on Lord Street from 10am to 2pm on Wednesday .

A similar event is planned for Dewsbury Minster on February 25.

There will be information about support services, a stall run by police and packs telling people how to report crime.

A spokeswoman for learning disability charity Mencap said awareness was vital.

She said: “The reason it’s under-reported and under-recorded is because it’s not always obvious that someone is being victimised because of their disability.

“Also, people with learning disabilities don’t always have faith in the police and might not know how to report it when they are a victim of crime.

“We are finding a lot more that people with disabilities are trying to live more independent lives, but this may make them more vulnerable to antisocial behaviour.

“These conferences are a positive step.”