A HELPLINE offering round-the-clock support to victims of racist abuse was launched yesterday.

The Racist Incident Procedure line offers recorded responses in 11 different languages and will operate 24 hours a day.

Set up by Gateshead Borough Council, Northumbria Police Authority and victim support and voluntary groups, it will offer advice to victims of racial harassment on how to seek help and also provides easier routes for members of the public to report a racist incident.

A Racist Incident Officer, employed by Gateshead council in partnership with the Tyne and Wear Racial Equality Council, will be on hand to follow up calls and react quickly to complaints.

Nine reporting centres have also been established in community centres, libraries and housing offices to provide an opportunity for people afraid to go to the police to anonymously report a racist incident.

Councillor Malcolm Graham, Gateshead council's cabinet member for community safety, said: "Harassment can take any form, from verbal or physical abuse, to racist graffiti and damage to property or possessions, but all are equally damaging to the victims.

"People should not have to live in fear of reporting such incidents and we hope that this new procedure will make it easier for those to report abuse, in order that the victimisers are brought to book and victims receive the support they need."

The Racial Incident Helpline number is 0800-138 1630. A leaflet about Gateshead's Racist Incident Policy with the list of reporting centres is available at Gateshead Civic Centre and at libraries throughout the borough