POLICE have set up a new helpline in a bid to crack down on unreported hate crime against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Cumbria, reports Lisa Frascarelli.

The initiative, launched next week, will see 15 specially trained liaison officers provide information and advice to callers who have been affected by abuse about their sexuality.

Three liaison officers who are part of a 15-strong county team made up of police and civilian staff will man mobile phone lines in South Cumbria.

Sgt Chris Wickwar, who is heading the initiative, said he hoped the confidential system would see more people seek help.

"We have been trying to address this issue for a while and we have created these officers in an effort to encourage people to report these crimes," he explained. "Also it is an avenue to provide us with more information to deal with this issue."

He said victims were often afraid to come forward for fear their report would lead to a court appearance.

"The problem is people do not know what the police will do often they assume it will lead to a prosecution which is not always what they want. These officers will provide them with information and advice and help make us more aware of what is going on out there."

Sgt Wickwar said a leaflet scheme launched several years ago to encourage victims of hate crimes to come forward had only had moderate success.

"Although it was met with some positive feedback from the LGBT community we had very little overall feedback from the forms. But we know there is a problem. Those people that did report back to us talked of several incidents that had happened to them in the past and also to friends and colleagues."

Callers to the new helplines, which go live next Tuesday (June 8), will not have to provide their details and the phonelines are only accessible to appointed liaison officers.

An email address has also been set up for those who prefer not to call up.

Sgt Wickwar added: "The appointment of liaison officers is a demonstration of our commitment to improve our links and service provision to members of the LGBT Community. Its success, however, will very much rely on people making use of those officers and I would urge people to do so."

The South Cumbria helpline number - which will not be active until after Tuesday's launch is: 0796 6060 685 and the e-mail address is: lgbt.communityliaison@cumbria.police.uk