MOVES to stamp out racism and hate crime in the borough are being stepped up this week with a new initiative to encourage victims to come forward.

The scheme means people no longer have to report certain crimes directly to the police but can use new Third Party Reporting Sites.

The scheme for the sites is supported by the Richmond Community Safety Partnership, which includes Richmond upon Thames Council, Richmond Housing Partnership and the police.

The council’s community safety manager Annette Rauf, said: “This can be particularly useful when dealing with domestic violence, racism, homo-phobic abuse and other hate crimes as often the victims do not always feel comfortable talking directly to the police or going into a police station.

“We are determined to combat all forms of hate crime and make it easier for victims to come forward and report them.

“These crimes must not go unreported or unpunished.

“This new initiative will help us to achieve these goals.” The locations include the offices of the Richmond Housing Partnership in Twickenham, Ham and Sheen and Twickenham Civic Centre. Homophobic crimes can also be reported at the Richmond Arms pub.

The scheme is only targeted at these specific crimes.

Anyone who wishes to report other offences should continue to report them directly to the police or Crimestoppers.

Posters giving full details of all the locations throughout the borough for reporting hate crimes are displayed at council offices, public libraries, GP surgeries, health centres, schools and churches. Leaflets are also available.

Further information can be obtained by contacting the community safety officer at Richmond Council, David Noakes, on 020 8891 7214 or by e-mail to d.noakes@richmond.gov.uk Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Serge Lourie, said: “I fully support this initiative aimed at hate crime.

“It is extremely important that people who are affected report incidents, and this scheme will make this easier.”