A TOWN has declared war on hate, as a councillor warns prejudice has no place in the community.

Middlesbrough residents are being urged to report all hate crime - whether it is racial or religious abuse, or aimed at a person's disability or sexuality - to a series of reporting centres, that are manned by trained staff, across the town.

From next week, people who find themselves the target of hate crime will also be able to use a designated website.

Information packs will be available, and posters promoting Middlesbrough's zero tolerance approach are to be displayed throughout the borough.

Councillor Barry Coppinger, executive member for community safety and leisure with Middlesbrough Council, said: "Hate crimes have no place in the tolerant and inclusive society we want in Middlesbrough.

"No one should have to put up with them, and everybody should play a part in stamping them out.''

The crime-fighting umbrella organisation, Safer Middlesbrough Partnership, has joined forces with Cleveland Police, Middlesbrough Council, Erimus Housing, the BME Community Network, the Crown Prosecution Service and the North of England Refugee Service, to launch next week's campaign.

Middlesbrough street warden Sikander Hayat suffered hate crime.

He said: "As a street warden, I come across different forms of racial harassment on a regular basis, this can vary from name-calling to aggressive threats. This has made my job a lot more demanding.''

He said the abuse had left him, at times, feeling isolated.

Graham Strange, partnership co-ordinator from Safer Middlesbrough Partnership, said: "There are numerous reasons why people choose not to report hate crime.

"We hope through this campaign, victims will have the confidence to come forward where previously they may not have done.

"Victims can rest assured they will be treated fairly and with respect.

"This new initiative may lead to an increase in the number of incidents being reported, but we will have a more accurate picture of hate crime in Middlesbrough, and we will be able to do something about it."

The initiative will run alongside a similar national True Vision campaign.

The website to be introduced is www.reporthate crime.co.uk