The action by Surrey Police follows a 62% rise in recorded hate crimes in the county during the past year.

The publicity material aims to encourage victims to come forward.

The campaign aims to tackle crimes carried out against people because of their race, faith, sexual orientation or disability.

Det Supt Brian Boxall said the force wanted to make an impact on the issue.

'Hate is a crime'

He said: "We need all victims to report offences against them, and local communities to play their part by providing us with information."

He added that the police campaign aimed to highlight the importance of the public coming forward so that police had the necessary evidence to act against offenders.

Two campaign posters, using the image of graffiti on a wall, will carry the messages "Hate is a crime - tell us about it" and "stop H8 B4 its 2 L8".

Publicity material will be distributed locally in venues such as doctors' surgeries, libraries, places of worship, local shops, petrol stations and community centres.

Over the past year Surrey has seen a rise of 62% in recorded hate crimes from 637 offences in the period April to December 2004, to 1,034 offences in the period April to December 2005.

Officers said there had also been an 89% increase in hate crime detection rates, up from 162 in the same period in 2004, to 307 in 2005.