Durham Police says people can now report hate crime online, by filling in a self-reporting pack or at a number of community organisations in the area.

The force hopes victims who may be reluctant to go to the police directly will still report crimes.

The scheme has been backed by the Racial Equality Council.

Organisations taking part in the 12-month pilot scheme include Gay Advice Darlington (GAD), Durham Young Gay Men's Group and Durham University's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender committee.

'Not tolerated'

A spokesman for Durham Police said: "We know for a fact hate crime in County Durham and Darlington is seriously under-reported. Because of this we are anxious to build a true picture of the scale of the problem."

Emma Roebuck, criminal justice worker with GAD, said: "The scheme puts hate crime higher on the agenda than it has been before. It needs to be reported and we need to provide reassurance that from now on this will not be tolerated."

In 2004-05 a total of 370 hate incidents were reported in the Durham Constabulary area. The force says 282 were racially motivated or aggravated with the remaining 88 classed as homophobic.

Peter Kaszefko, from the Racial Equality Council, added: "Anything that encourages people to report hate crimes, and to be fully supported whilst doing so, is a massive step forward."