If you were attacked in the street, or had unpleasant things shoved through your letterbox, you would not think twice about calling the police.

But for some sections of our society - such as ethnic minorities, lesbians and gay men - that option has been fraught with distrust and fear of not being taken seriously.

That distrust and fear is now being changed to confidence and co-operation thanks to a team of dedicated officers from the south Essex police division. They have been tasked to help those people who felt justice was out of their reach.

Insp Steve Tutton and PC Andrew Meyer of Basildon police, are raising the division's profile among such groups and encouraging the reporting of incidents. Their counterparts at Southend police, Sgt Paul England and Insp Bob Palmer, are doing the same.

PC Meyer said: "Historically, people from these sections of our community may have been wary of contacting us. Their perception may be they would not be taken seriously, or that the police would not do anything.

"Even if we cannot help due to the nature of the problem, we work in partnership with many other organisations who may be able to. Our current partners include Basildon District Council, Essex Racial Equality Council, South Essex Switchboard and various health authorities."

Recent figures for the Basildon division show a growing rise in racial incidents being reported. In 1997 there were just 16, in 1998, 42, in 1999, 44 and so far this year there have been 60.

Recording of homophobic incidents only began last year, when there were seven reported. So far this year there have been 16.

In Southend, Sgt England said the reporting of racial incidents has gone from 31 for April 97 - 98 and 22 for April 98 - Dec 98, to 55 during the whole of 1999. Since January this year the total is already 56 racial incidents reported.

And records for homophobic incidents in Southend have gone from just one or two last year to seven since January 2000. However, the alarming rise is actually seen by the police as a good thing because it means more victims are prepared to come forward.

Sgt England said: "People are clearly putting up with a great deal of racial and homophobic treatment before they come to us.

"It's difficult to gauge the true figures, but we are definitely not getting the full picture. But we are now heightening awareness through working with these partnership groups - and it is starting to pay off."

PC Meyer agreed, saying: "The rise in reported incidents represents a rise in trust. Our attitude is any victim of crime deserves the same treatment. Everyone should expect and get the same level of service."

As part of that trust building, officers have set up various schemes. One such is a monthly drop-in surgery at a popular lesbian and gay venue in both Basildon and Southend.

At the venue a community partner works alongside the police officer throughout and both are available to discuss any issue.

PC Meyer said: "Incidents are not just physical assaults. Name calling and any form of abuse and bullying are included and are equally unacceptable.

All reported incidents are treated extremely seriously and where possible we will take positive action against those responsible. Basildon police will not tolerate hate crimes."

If you are a victim of a hate crime or know anyone who is, contact PC Andrew Meyer on 01268 532212, Sgt Paul England on 01702 431212 or if you prefer a community partner in complete confidence, call:

Essex Racial Equality Council 01702 333351

South Essex Switchboard 01702 344355

Simon Ford, Man to Man Project 01375 364435

Victim Support 01268 273703.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.