23 September 2012 Last updated at 06:39 ET

Cumbria Police web chat to raise hate crime awareness

Cumbria Police is holding an online chat for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities to raise awareness of hate-related crimes.

Officers will be online to help provide advice and support for those who feel they have been harassed or attacked because of their sexuality or gender.

The force hope that by chatting anonymously, victims of hate crime will no longer "suffer in silence".

People can talk to officers on the police's website on Thursday evening.

Assistant chief constable Michelle Skeer said: "Hate crime in any form is unacceptable and we do all we can to tackle the issue in Cumbria.

"However, we're aware that hate crime is often something that goes unreported and we don't want victims to suffer in silence.

"We hope that this web chat will provide local people with the chance to ask questions anonymously or seek support from us in a way that some victims may feel is comfortable or convenient for them."