AN ANTI-hate crime scheme will soon be launched in Rossendale to give residents an alternative to talking with police.

Police specialists at the Hate Crime Diversity Unit have announced that a county-wide effort to eliminate crimes related to prejudice, will soon come to the Valley.

The announcement comes after Sylvia Lancaster, mother of Sophie, 20, who was kicked to death in a Bacup Park, lobbied politicians and police to widen hate crime laws.

Brendan Harris, 15, and Ryan Herbert, 16, were jailed for life for murdering former Haslingden High School student Sophie with a recommendation that they serve 18 years and 16 years respectively.

The pair had been drinking cider, lager and schnapps before attacking Sophie's boyfriend, Robert Maltby, because he was dressed as a goth and then beating and stamping on her as she cradled him.

The centres, supported by Sylvia, will be opened in the borough for residents to report cases of hate-crime, which is crime caused by hatred of age, disability, gender, identity, race, religion, faith, or sexual orientation.

Det Sgt Phil Turner, at the hate crime unit, said: “We have secured funding for developing the drop in centres and also a 24 hour hate crime helpline to encourage people to report hate-related incidents.

“There are currently third party report centres in Rossendale, but the new facilities would be an additional service.

“We hope to launch the scheme later this year after we have finalised issues with Stop Hate UK who we are working with”

Bosses at Stop Hate UK, a charity which raises awareness of hate crime in the UK, will be closely involved in the new scheme.

Chief executive of the charity, Rose Simkins, said: “Reporting of hate crime is very low and this is something we hope to change.”

Stop Hate UK can be contacted on 0800 138 1625.