A community liaison officer who set up a hotline to help victims of hate crime in Folkestone has received an award.

Mick Cronin established the homophobic incident reporting line for victims of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.

It is a dedicated freephone number – 0800 328 9162 – as it is recognised that some victims feel unable or reluctant to report incidents directly to police.

Mr Cronin set the scheme up in Folkestone and Dover in 2003 and it was so successful, it was extended to Kent and Medway a year later.

He has now been commended by the Chief Constable of Kent for his work.

Deputy Chief Constable Adrian Leppard presented Mr Cronin with a Chief Constable’s Certificate of Merit during the International Day Against Homophobia at Kent Police headquarters.

Mr Cronin has managed to arrange funding to sustain the hotline from community safety units and continues to organise training to all staff involved and review the performance.

He said: “I was very surprised, but also pleased to get this award.

“I would like to think the award recognises the work of all the funders and staff and would like to take the opportunity to encourage anybody who is suffering abuse or harassment to come forward and allow us to help.”