POLICE have won funding to crack down on hate crime with a self-reporting pack for victims.

West Mercia Constabulary is to share a £90,000 windfall with three other forces in a Home Office drive to increase the reporting of race or homophobic crime.

Funding for the True Vision initiative will pay for the development of an easy-to-use pack to encourage more victims to come forward.

"Hate crimes are particularly vicious as the victim is targeted, for example, because of their race, colour, appearance or sexual orientation," said Chief Insp Nick Mason, head of West Mercia's diversity directorate. "Many victims of hate crime suffer in silence for various reasons.

"We hope this project will increase reporting of hate crimes and give us a true vision of the level of crime so that we can target our resources where they are most needed."

The packs - which won't be available for several months - will be pocket-sized to aid confidentiality, and be available from libraries, police stations, drop-in centres and other community venues.

They will also include information about personal safety, domestic violence, the Crown Prosecution Service and local helplines.

"Any contact will remain confidential and anonymous at the preference of the victim," said Mr Mason.

"We aim to help victims in a sensitive and sympathetic manner in partnership with support agencies."

Police in the West Midlands, Warwickshire and Staffordshire will also be producing the packs.