Victims of hate crime will soon be able to get expert help by walking into a city-centre office.

A group of specialists set up to stamp out the problem will be based at the Partnership Community Safety Team HQ, which is to open in North Street, Brighton.

The team, which will work to meet Government demands on cutting crime, anti social behaviour and fear of crime, includes a Brighton and Hove police sergeant and a liaison officer for victims of homophobic crime.

They will operate with a community safety officer for domestic violence, a racial harassment policy co-ordinator, a violent crime reduction officer, an anti social behaviour co-ordinator, caseworkers for hate crime and outreach workers.

The central office will give people greater access to key safety workers.

Brighton and Hove City Council leader Ken Bodfish said community workers operating directly with police and the council would speed up efforts to stop hate crimes.

He said: "If we are really to protect the most vulnerable people and communities we must tackle the prejudice and hatred which motivates perpetrators of hate crime. The new team's challenge will be a step towards achieving this."

A council spokeswoman said: "The police at the 162 North Street office are linked into the Sussex Police computer and therefore this implies better access to information.

"The building will soon open to the public and face-to-face contact with residents will mean better recording of incidents, which will mean better enforcement and better prevention of crime and anti social behaviour.

"Residents will get access to support workers and information in a way they have never done before. We hope this will empower people and in turn reduce the fear of crime.

"Quite often fear of crime does not represent the likelihood of incidence. Empowerment goes a long way towards making people feel safe."

Sussex Police Chief Superintendent Paul Curtis said: "Already our close working on anti social behaviour orders and related issues such as dispersal orders is bringing rapid relief to neighbourhoods in Brighton and Hove blighted by anti social behaviour.

"The good work of the Anti-Victimisation Initiative has so far increased the trust and confidence of the black, minority and ethnic community and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The partnership will build upon this."

Hugh Marriage, director of the Government Office for the South-East, said: "The people of Brighton and Hove, including the minority communities, will now have much easier access to and greater support from Sussex Police, the city council and their partner organisations.

"People can now come forward and speak out about any crime which affects them or their family."

Councillor Gill Mitchell, community safety chairwoman, said: "It makes absolute sense to place ourselves in the middle of the city, open our doors and provide direct safety services, to describe crime levels in a way that is really understandable, to act as a resource for local action teams and extend expertise into our city neighbourhoods."

The partnership is funded from sources including the Home Office and Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.