The national launch of the 'True Vision' project took place in Birmingham yesterday (Thursday).

This initiative which aims to help tackle the problems of hate crime is being fully supported by the Dyfed Powys Police, Probation Service, Victim Support Service and the local authorities of Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Powys.

The project, which is being supported by a Home Office grant of £90,000, will provide information packs which will be available at all police stations, local authority reception areas and through Victim Support.

The packs contain leaflets which provide guidance and support to victims of hate, religious, homophobic and transphobic crime, together with a self-reporting form which provides an opportunity for the anonymous reporting of such incidents if the victim so wishes.

These self-reporting forms will assist in identifying trends and hotspots, which should allow planned responses to reduce the likelihood of such incidents and identify perpetrators.

The number of recorded racist incidents in the Dyfed Powys Police area during 2003-2004 was 172, an increase of 37 incidents recorded the previous year.

Inspector Lewis, of the community safety department, said: "The initiative provides an opportunity for the police and other statutory bodies to engage with victims of hate crime who may not have the confidence to report such incidents which should contribute to reducing such offending."