A NEW campaign has been launched in a bid to tackle the growing problem of hate crime.

Experts at Crimestoppers want more people across Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire to step forward and help bring a halt to a “massively under-reported issue.”

Between May and September, the charity recorded an 88 per cent increase in hate crime reports in Scotland compared to the previous five months from December 2016 to April of this year.

A breakdown of the statistics reveals half of those calls related to information on Islamophobia.

There was also a 40 per cent rise in reports of racism.

The new campaign will highlight the role of bystanders in speaking out against such crimes and reporting them to police.

The scheme, backed by the Scottish Government, Police Scotland and the Crown Office, has been launched during Hate Crime Awareness Week and will run until November 26.

Angela Parker, national manager of Crimestoppers Scotland, said: “Hate crime has a terrible impact on victims. It is totally unacceptable to attack or threaten someone because they identify as a particular race, religion, sexual orientation or have a disability.

“We urge anyone who has information about the perpetrators of this crime to contact us 100 per cent anonymously.

“We understand it’s not easy to step up and report someone, especially if they’re a close friend or family member, but we do not take personal details and we can’t trace information given to us by phone or online.

“No-one will ever know you contacted us.

“We’re a charity that gives people the power to speak up to stop crime. We won’t ask for any personal details, including your name.

“When you hang up the phone or click ‘send,’ you’re done. No police, no witness statements or courts.”

Equalities Secretary Angela Constance said everyone must play a part in eradicating hate crime.

She added: “The message that hate has no home encourages and empowers people to recognise hate crime and report it, stopping this discrimination at its source.

“No-one should be a passive witness when one of our fellow citizens is attacked because of who they are.

“Ensuring we all take a stand and report hate crime is an important part of creating a fairer country for all.”

Chief Superintendent John McKenzie, of Police Scotland, added: “People of all races, religions, ethnicities, of any sexual orientation or with any disability should be able to live their lives free from hate or harassment.

“Hate crime is under reported. We want to change that and we are asking people not to be bystanders. Speak out, help us tackle hate crime.

“By working together, we can drive prejudice out of our communities.”

Hate crimes can be reported in confidence by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Alternatively, use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.