HAMPSHIRE police have urged every victim of hate crime to report it to the authorities.

Senior officers have spoken out following the launch of the Daily Echo-backed Love Don't Hate campaign, which aims to make Southampton the "most accepting" city in the UK.

The campaign was launched on October 20 to coincide with the start of National Hate Crime Awareness Week.

Acting Superintendent Phil Lamb said Hampshire Constabulary had supported Hate Crime Awareness Week through a wide range of activities across the county.

 

He added: "In Southampton neighbourhood policing teams held a number engagement events across the city.

"We know hate crime has traditionally been under-reported which is why national Hate Crime Awareness Week is so valuable in giving us the opportunity to raise awareness and understanding of what a hate crime is and promote support and advice networks.

"Every report helps us develop a more accurate picture of what is happening within our communities."

Police held surgeries at a variety of locations across the city as well as visiting schools, colleges and places of worship to stress the importance of respecting differences and to ensure people knew the various different ways they can report a hate crime.

The number of hate crimes being reported has increased year on year, partly as a result of more people feeling able to come forward.

 

Acting Superintendent Lamb said: "We want people to remember that a hate crime is when someone commits a crime against an individual because of their disability, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, religion, or any other perceived difference.

"If you are victim of a hate crime, report it."

The new campaign has established a network of 18 reporting centres across Southampton where victims can access support.

A new smartphone app, Southampton Love Don’t Hate, available to download on Google Play and Apple, allows users to report a hate crime to the nearest reporting centre.

One of the centres is The London Hotel in Oxford Street, Southampton, run by Ray and David Riley-Cole.

The couple said: "When we've witnessed LGBT hate crime we've found the police are totally on our side and on it straight away.

Daily Echo:

"We're passionate about tackling hate crime in Southampton - that's why we joined the Hate Crime Network and that's why we are a Hate Crime Reporting Centre - one of the few in the city that are open in the evening."

Victims can also call Hampshire police on 101 - or 999 if it is an emergency.