A SCHEME launched in Lancashire to encourage victims of homophobic hate crime to report attacks could be rolled out across the country.

A helpline, called the Blue Phone, was set up by Lancashire Police and advertised in lesbian and gay venues.

Now after a successful run in the county it is being suggested that it is used elsewhere.

The Blue Phone is a telephone line that people can turn to after witnessing or being involved in a hate crime.

The idea of having a separate number came because people do not tend to report homophobic crimes to the police.

This may be because they feel uncomfortable admitting their sexuality or reporting the nature of the crime, or because they fear a negative or unsympathetic reaction.

Lancashire Police Assistant Chief Constable Michael Cunningham said: "Schemes like the Blue Phone assist in bringing offenders to justice and making individuals and communities feel safer.

"Criminals who are motivated by bigotry and prejudice have to be met head on and victims of prejudice and bigotry have to be supported."

The Home Office has published a list of new ways to tackle homophobic hate crime - with the Blue Phone being cited as a prime example of a scheme with a proven track record.

The new guidance for reducing incidents includes improving the response of the criminal justice system and increasing confidence in the system so that people come forward.

The document, entitled Tackling Homophobic Hate Crime, gathers good practice from around England and Wales as examples of reducing homophobic attacks.

Suggestions include raising awareness of the problem, using penalty notices to discourage homophobic crime, and encouraging parents and pupils to report schools which do not take homophobia seriously.

Home Office minister Tony McNulty said: "Any form of crime motivated by prejudice or hate is unacceptable."

Hate crime is defined as any criminal incident which is seen by the victim as being motivated by prejudice or hatred of a particular community.

Mr McNulty said police, local authorities and other agencies needed to "understand the impact of homophobic hate crime, its effect on various communities, and to understand that under-reporting isn't in anybody's interest."