POLICE in Kirklees have re-launched a scheme to stamp out crimes based on prejudice.
Hate incident reporting centres were set up 21 months ago to tackle racist and homophobic crimes.
Since then, police have been encouraged by the number of people coming forward to report crimes.
And they are hoping that the relaunch will help spread the word to others not to suffer in silence.
Chief Insp Charlie Glass, the force's community and race relations officer, said: "I am greatly encouraged by the number of people who have used the facilities so far."
He said he hoped that the relaunch would help to get further messages out to the community that these centres were there.
The relaunch of the hate incident reporting centres will take place at Dewsbury Town Hall tomorrow at 11am, attended by Chief Insp Keith Hallas, of Dewsbury Police, Kirklees Mayor Clr Barbara Allonby and Dr Khadim Khamas, chairman of North Kirklees Ethnic Minority Police Forum.
Since the launch of the centres, 161 incidents have been reported, 145 of them racially motivated and 16 homophobic.
Sixty sites across Kirklees have been identified as suitable places for victims to visit to report incidents. The centres, based in community rooms, housing offices and advice centres are staffed by trained workers, and are proving to be more convenient and less intimidating than police stations.
Two special freephone numbers are also available with information recorded in a number of languages giving the caller advice on what to do if they believe they are the victim of either racial or homophobic harassment.
The confidential lines are 0800 1381625 for racial harassment and 0800 1381698 for homophobic incidents.
