by Jo Earle

Representatives from Kent County Council, police and various
support groups have been among those discussing the issue of hate
crime against disabled people at Ashford International Hotel.

They want to ensure it is tackled in the same way as crackdowns
on race hate crime and homophobic crime.

Clive Lever, diversity adviser for Kent County Council, said:
"The little incidents that happen one time if they aren't stopped
could get bigger. People always push the boundaries, calling names
one day, throwing stones the next. The longer it goes on the worse
it gets.

"We need to make sure we spot it wherever it is happening and
the people feel they can report anywhere."

Watch our video report from the conference above.