A special event to remember and respect victims of The Holocaust and other genocides is being held at Brent Civic Centre in Wembley to mark Holocaust and Genocide Memorial Day 2016.

The event, which has an open invitation to all residents will take place at from 7pm to 9pm on January 27, and will involve talks, a candle lighting ceremony, a book exhibition and music.

The council says all communities are invited and welcome and there is no need to register, with the theme of this year's event being 'Don't Stand by'.

The candle lighting ceremony will remember all the victims and survivors of Holocaust and genocide including Bosnia, Cambodia, Darfur and Rwanda.

The Holocaust and subsequent genocides took place because the local populations allowed persecution to take place and did not speak out due to fear.

The event will include real life survival stories of what happened in the past in order to prevent it happening again in the future.

Holocaust survivor Eve Kuglar, author of 'Shattered Crystals' will be speaking about her survivor experience of the Holocaust and Sokphal Din, a Cambodian genocide survivor will be sharing her survivor story.

The event will also discuss the steps of genocide and how this builds up to a climate of fear and hatred against particular members of society.

Cllr Muhammed Butt , Leader of Brent Council said: "With recent events that have taken place all over the world, it is more important than ever that we stand together in Brent against persecution, fear and hatred.

"Holocaust and Genocide Memorial Day gives us an opportunity to not only remember all those who have suffered and died in genocides around the world, but also a time to think and reflect about how we can prevent these tragedies from happening."

Jewish locals recently collectively wrote a Holocaust book in remembrance .