GREATER Manchester Police has published a booklet tackling homophobic hate crime.

The booklets give details of specially trained local officers to whom hate crime can be reported and reassurance that GMP will treat every report seriously, confidentially and anonymously if necessary.

They also contain a series of answers to concerns which lesbian, gay and trans people typically have when considering reporting homophobic crimes.

The booklets are free and are available from libraries, health centres, CAB centres, bars and public places throughout the Greater Manchester area.

GMP has also introduced Britain's first special lesbian and gay policing web-site on www.gmp.police.uk/lgbt.htm