New hotline to tackle race crime

Stephen's parents have campaigned for better race relations

A confidential helpline for reporting racist incidents is being piloted in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

The 24-hour helpline was set up in response to recommendations made after an inquiry into the murder of London teenager Stephen Lawrence.

Stephen's mother Doreen will be one of the guest speakers at the launch of the helpline in Hull on Tuesday.

Stephen, 18, was fatally stabbed by a racist gang in 1993. Nobody has been convicted of his murder.

The helpline will be monitored by the Racist Incident Group, an independent group of community representatives established by the Home Office.

If the Yorkshire and Humber pilot is successful, the helpline is expected to be rolled out to the rest of England and Wales.