BURY'S racial equality chief is supporting a new "language line" to allow non-English speakers to fight crime.
Ms Monaza Luqman, director of Bury Racial Equality Council, teamed up with Granada TV presenter So Rahman to launch the new Crimestoppers' service on Tuesday (April 20).
Non-English speaking callers to the charity's anonymous hotline can now be put through to a relevant interpreter and speak in their native tongue.
Crimestoppers' aims to encourage more black and minority ethnic residents to report information on crime, or known criminals acting in their area, in return for anonymity.
The Greater Manchester-wide initiative, "It's Your Call", is being backed by the Commission for Racial Equality.
Callers requiring an interpreter can ring Crimestoppers in the usual way on 0800 555 111. They can then pass on their information to the charity through the interpreter, without giving any personal details.
Prestwich woman Sue Arden, Crimestoppers' North West development manager, said: "We are extremely eager to increase the number of calls we receive from minority ethnic groups. Language line now makes it possible for people who speak any language and who have information, but who are too scared to come forward, to ring the Crimestoppers hotline."
Ms Luqman was appointed Bury Racial Equality Council's first woman full-time director in 2002
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