A NEW scheme is being launched in Wyre Forest to make it easier to report hate crimes.

The Wyre Forest Hate Incident Partnership (WFHIP) will be concerned with crimes motivated by a hatred of an individual's colour, gender, religion, disability, age, race or sexual orientation.

WFHIP has recognised that hate crimes are less likely to be reported and developed a scheme that allows victims and witnesses to report an incident in a more "comfortable" location at centres based in the local community.

A new third party' reporting format will also allow people to report incidents on behalf of others.

Fran Oborski, chair of WFHIP, said: "We want to reduce the number of hate incidents that go unreported by making it easier for people to tell the organisations who can help.

"People tend to think of hate incidents as related to racism, but there are other types that are just as damaging for the victim such as race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion and belief that can all trigger hate-influenced behaviour towards an individual or group."

Alison Braithwaite, chair of Wyre Forest Community Safety Partnership, added: "We are pleased to be launching WFHIP as part of our wider partnership activities.

"We recognise the importance of enabling people to report hate incidents and to receive that vital support.

"This initiative provides victims with the opportunity to report incidents to alternative reporting centres. It's an important innovation given the isolating effect of this type of incident or crime."

The members of WFHIP are Wyre Forest District Council, Wyre Forest Community Safety Partnership, West Mercia Constabulary, The Community Housing Group, Worcestershire Victim Support, Horsefair, Broadwaters and Greenhill Partnership, Oldington and Foley Park Pathfinder and Connect Wyre Forest.

WFHIP begins operations on Tuesday.