YOUNGSTERS have helped to launch a project to tackle hate crime including bullying due to race or sexuality set to be rolled out across the county.

The Hate Crime Resource Pack was unveiled by Ron Hogg, Durham's Police and Crime Commissioner, with help from pupils at Ferryhill Business and Enterprise College.

The pack comprises a 13minute DVD and workshops discussing hate crime and was launched at the Education Development Centre, in Spennymoor, today. (Wednesday, January 21)

Mr Hogg has funded the hate crime pack, which was designed by the Durham Agency Against Crime (DAAC).

He said: “Hopefully this will raise awareness of hate crime especially in young people and help to reduce the issue.

“When I was campaigning for this job hate crime came up as an issue on several occasions but it’s a crime which is under reported.

“This is a crime which can have a really debilitating effect on someone.

“Across the Durham Police area over the last year though there has been a 66 per cent increase in reports of hate crime.

“We’re trying to get youngsters to understand what an impact hate crime has on people.”

The campaign covers strands including gender, religion, disability, sexuality and race and it comes after a number of high profile hate crime cases including cyber bullying.

Fifty pupils from the Ferryhill college aged between 12 and 15-years took part in the workshops.

Tim Pinkney, deputy headteacher of the college, said: “We do a lot with DAAC and so we were asked to be guinea pigs for this.

“It’s something which is certainly needed and it’s a good resource which can be tailored for use in schools and clubs. We will run sessions with it in school.”

The Hate Crime Resource Pack can be ordered free of charge online at daac.org.uk