VICTIMS of hate crime, where people are targeted because of their race, gender, or disabilities, no longer need to suffer in silence, officials behind a new reporting service have declared.

Wycombe district residents can now report such incidents around the clock thanks to a new website, freephone and text service launched by Stop Hate UK in partnership with Wycombe District Council, Buckinghamshire County Council, Victim Support and Thames Valley Police.

Ch Insp Colin Seaton, Deputy Area Commander, added: "People with disabilities, or who know people with disabilities, should not suffer in silence.

"I can also understand that for some people you might not want to come straight to the police, so we will be supporting our partners to report crimes in the first instance through the Stop Hate UK supporting service."

To report hate crime to Stop Hate UK: phone 0800 138 1625; text 07717 989 025; email talk@stophateuk.org or visit the Stop Hate UK website. Stop Hate UK is also on Facebook and Twitter.