A DEDICATED website has been launched to encourage victims of homophobic hate crimes in the borough to come forward.

The initiative was launched by Hillingdon Police as part of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History month which has been taking place throughout February and they are hoping the website will revolutionise the way crimes are reported and dealt with.

Borough Commander Carl Bussey is the lead officer for LGBT for the whole of the Metropolitan Police Service and is determined to not only make the police force a comfortable place for minorities to work, but for victims of homophobic crime to feel as though they can report offences.

Acting Sergant Rafael Nadal, the borough liaison officer for LGBT offences, said: "Its an up to date method of reporting crime, the telephone will one day be an outdated concept.

"Through the website people can send me a message and I can specifically investigate the offence."

He insists although the website is only in its early stages so far it has garnered a positive response.

"Even though the website has only been up a couple of weeks, it has had nearly 200 hits and I have received several messages of support.

"The website is also a community platform for people to meet and chat and discuss everyday things.

"At the Culvert public house they also help with reporting the crimes, and I have trained the landlord with how to make an initial crime report.

Last year in Hillingdon 32 homophobic crimes were reported with 16 leading to prosecution.

"I really do urge people to come forward if they've experienced any type of hate crime in terms of sexual orientation.

"In Hillingdon we will respond, we will act and we will be there with our support all the way through.

"Along with race and gender it is an important topic which we are very focused on."

To visit the website go to www.gaydar.co.uk/hillingdonpol