A NEW 24-hour telephone helpline has been launched to assist victims of hate crimes in England’s biggest county.

The move is part of a campaign by North Yorkshire Police to tackle the issue county-wide.

Hate crime is defined as any act of hostility or violence which is directed at a person because of their disability, gender-identity, race, religion or belief.

And while the number of recorded hate crime incidents in the county remains relatively low - 387 last year – it is still 21 per cent up on the previous year.

The police also believe that the real number of incidents could in fact be far higher, due to under-reporting of hate crime offences.

Deputy Chief Constable Tim Madgwick said: “Anecdotal evidence suggests that the number of people who suffer from hate crime far exceeds the number of reports that are made, and we want to change that.

“Part of the reason for low reporting is that many people aren’t sure exactly what a hate crime is, or where and how to report it.

“We want to spread the word that name-calling, verbal threats, graffiti, bullying and damage to personal property doesn’t have to be tolerated, and that victims of such behaviour can call the Stop Hate helpline to report what has happened and get advice on what to do.”

The Stop Hate UK helpline is available on 0800 138 1625 and is staffed24 hours a day. An online chat service is also available on stophateuk.org/talk-to-us.