HOMOPHOBIA and racism are high on the agenda for police who have created a "hate crime" unit to deal with abuse.
The department has been set up by North Worcestershire Police and is headed by Det Insp Adrian Todd, who said effort needs to be taken to encourage victims of abuse to come forward.
He said: "I am certain there is an under-reporting of hate crime within the North Worcestershire area.
"It may be people are afraid they won't be listened to but I want to re-assure them they will be and that we take any form of hate crime seriously."
Det Insp Todd, who is based at Broms-grove, added: "Our role is to review and investigate allegations of hate crime which are reported.
"We regularly hold meetings in which we review on-going hate crime investigations to ensure our work is as well informed as possible, and the needs of the community are met."
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