LIVERPOOL’s diverse communities came together last night to hold a candlelit vigil for PC James Parkes who was a victim of hate crime.

Trainee PC Parkes, 22, was attacked by a gang of teenagers last Sunday on Stanley Street. Last night thousands joined his partner Tom Downey at the scene of the attack to make a stand against such violence.

Mr Downey was the first speaker to address a packed crowd of around 2,500 people.

At the end of his address Mr Downey led the crowd in three cheers for James who he said was desperate to get better and get back to the job he had always wanted to do – policing our streets.

James has returned home despite suffering multiple skill fractures in the gang assault. The other speakers included Emma Louise Stewart, who is organising a march for James at 1.30pm on November 22 at St George’s Hall, Cllr Nick Small, Martin Fenerty from Armistead, MP Louise Ellman, Cllr Steve Radford, gay rights campaigner Pura Aviza and organiser Carl Alderdice.

At 8.30pm, Mr Downey lit the first candle and led a one minute silence for his partner.

Twenty of James’ close friends and family wore orange T-Shirts with pink lettering with “Live and let live” on the back.