VICTIMS of hate crime are to be encouraged to report offences by making it easier for them to do so. Herts Police are providing self-reporting forms so that people who may be uncomfortable or embarrassed about face to face contact can fill in the forms an

VICTIMS of hate crime are to be encouraged to report offences by making it easier for them to do so.

Herts Police are providing self-reporting forms so that people who may be uncomfortable or embarrassed about face to face contact can fill in the forms and send them in to police.

A hate crime is where the motivation for the offence is based on prejudice towards a person's actual or perceived sexual orientation, race, gender, disability or belief. Inspector Ian Tycer said: "We hope that through introducing this alternative method more victims will be encouraged to come forward."

The self-reporting hate crime forms can be found on the police website www2.herts.police.uk under the 'Report a Crime' section and will also be distributed to schools, councils, housing associations community support groups, medical practices, hospitals, places of worship and sports clubs.