A COUNCIL has launched a helpline for reporting racist incidents.

In line with Government guidance to all local authorities Sunderland City Council has opened the 24-hour facility.

The service has been developed in response to the McPherson report on the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry and staff taking calls have received specialist training from Northumbria police.

Pauline Blyth, assistant head of support services at the authority, said: "The staff operating the helpline also operate the Community Care Alarm Service and so are used to dealing sensitively with vulnerable people.

"We have produced the contact details for the helpline in a number of different languages and those details are available from various public buildings around the city.''

Northumbria Police Inspector David Goodchild, Sunderland's local authority liaison officer said: "Racism and racist behaviour are not acceptable. They can make the victim's life a misery.

"By encouraging the reporting of individual incidents, we can obtain a better understanding of the extent of the problem. We then work together with all of our partners to ensure that people can enjoy a peaceful life.''

Insp Goodchild said a racist incident could mean anything which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person, for example, verbal/physical abuse, damage to property, threatening behaviour and graffiti.

Anyone wishing to report a racist incident can ring the helpline on 0191-567 1123.