MERSEYSIDE Police has launched a rainbow patrol car to increase awareness and reporting of hate crime.

From Monday the vehicle will be used like any other operational response car would to attend incidents across Merseyside.

Unlike the traditional white, blue and yellow police cars the vehicle also features the colours of the 'Rainbow Flag' and will display the Crimestoppers logo and Stop Hate UK website address.

The car will be used at events such as Liverpool Pride, International Day Against Homophobia Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT) events and Homotopia to represent the force.

Wirral Globe:

Picture of the rainbow flag logo up close which reads 'Police with pride'

Assistant chief constable Julie Cooke said: "While it’s out and about on the roads of Merseyside, it is hoped the car will grab the attention of everyone who sees it.

"We know hate crime in all its forms is under-reported. We believe any step that shows in a visible way that we support those members of our communities most likely to be the victims of hate crime is a positive one.

"This car will not just attend hate crime incidents, it will be seen out and about going to all manner of incidents and we hope that it will stimulate conversations with the communities we go into.

"This is not a one-off gesture - the car is just one of the many ways in which Merseyside Police show our support for victims of hate crime across Merseyside.

"We hope this will encourage more victims of hate crime to come forward and report incidents to the police, and also further increase engagement with the public."

Anyone with information about hate crime should contact Merseyside Police on 101.