CLEVELAND’S Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger has talked about the scourge of hate crime on Teesside.

Mr Coppinger made his comments while launching a training event designed to create community champions to improve the reporting of such crimes.

The training will be provided to professionals who work with those in the community who may be a target for hate crime, including the disabled, homosexuals and those from various religious and ethnic groups.

Carers and families will also benefit from training to identify when those close to them are being victimised.

The network is a step on from the creation of third party reporting centre’s across Cleveland, where people can report crimes or incidents to an independent person if they do not wish to go directly to the police.

"It shouldn’t be victims who have to live with the weight of hate crime on their shoulders, but the perpetrators who should live with the weight of the law," he said.

“I’m determined to do whatever possible to ensure that victims feel able to tell someone about what they are dealing with and that hate crime is brought out into the open.

"This network of reporting champions is definitely a step in the right direction and I’m pleased to launch their initial training.”

Inspector Dan Maddison, who has developed the network, said: “Many people who witness or are victims of hate crime have often learned to accept it as part of daily life. We need to spread the message that it shouldn’t be a part of daily life and that there is support available. This network will help people to report incidents and understand what will happen if they do.”

Anyone who wants more information should contact Inspector Dan Maddison on the non-emergency number 101.