It's the start of October which marks the start of #BlackHistoryMonth.

Dorset Police Temportary Deputy Chief Constable Sam De Reya has shared the following message of support:

We are proud to support Black History Month.

Black History Month runs throughout October and is a celebration of everything about Black History. Black History is World History and the campaign aims to promote and celebrate Black contributions to British society and to increase understanding and knowledge of Black history.

This year's theme is, "Proud to be" and Black History Month UK are inviting well known celebrities and public figures to get involved and share what they are Proud to Be. This is why we recognise and support this event. It is not a political movement and in supporting Black History Month we are showing our support for our Black communities. By showing our support we hope to encourage everyone to have a voice and tell us how policing is seen and felt across Dorset. It's important that everyone trusts and feels confident in us as a police force and able to give their perspective on what is happening in the community.

This national event is an opportunity for us to promote and celebrate Black contributions to British society and increase knowledge and understanding of heritage and culture. To celebrate our wonderfully diverse communities. We are committed to tackling racism in our communities and to supporting victims of crime and incidents and to tackling offenders. We are also working hard to encourage greater diversity within our workforce.

This gives us the opportunity to stand side by side with our communities and give everyone a voice and a time to be heard.

If you want to know more about Black History Month visit: blackhistorymonth.org.uk/