A PROJECT that uses the Internet to tackle racism has been hailed a success.

The Race Equality Scheme on the Northumbria Police website is being visited about 50 times a month.

Chief Inspector Simon Packham, from the force's community safety department, said: "We are delighted by how many people are interested in looking at race issues on our website."

The site contains details of what constitutes a hate crime, plus advice to victims, links to partner organisations and useful telephone numbers.

The information is available in 13 languages, from English to Albanian and Urdu.

But police feel the section that gives visitors the opportunity to download forms to report racist or homophobic incidents is under-used.

Although hate crimes are being reported to police in other ways, not many people are using the computer to do it.

The forms give victims a confidential way of passing on details of incidents, anonymously if required.

People can download and print the form, which they can post free.

Chief Insp Packham said: "We would always encourage people to report racial or homophobic crime.

"The information will help us draw up a more accurate picture of hate crime in the region, so it can be dealt with more effectively.

"Hate crime is any crime where the victim is targeted because of the offender's prejudice."

The site can be found by visiting www.northumbria.police.uk.