AN INCREASE in the number of people facing prosecution for racially-motivated crimes in York and North Yorkshire is down to victims having the confidence to come forward, according to county prosecutors.

The number of defendants facing prosecution for racial crime rose by 40 per cent in the county last year in the county.

Earlier this month, the Evening Press reported that North Yorkshire Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) brought cases against 28 defendants, with 68 per cent resulting in guilty pleas.

Robert Turnbull, chief crown prosecutor, said the increase was down to victims believing they will be taken seriously when they report incidents.

He said: "In response to high-profile campaigns urging victims of racist crime not to suffer in silence and to report incidents, more victims now have the confidence to come forward, knowing that the police and North Yorkshire CPS take these offences seriously.

"I am encouraged that the conviction rate remains high, at 84 per cent, and that by working closely with the police to build strong cases we are securing a large number of guilty pleas at court.

"But there is still a lot more work for us to do to support victims as their cases progress through the criminal justice system.

"We are committed to working with minority communities to continue to build trust and confidence."

The figures were revealed in the CPS Racist Incident Monitoring Scheme Annual Report for 2001/2002, which collects data on all racist incidents sent by the police to the CPS for prosecution.

Tony Lidgate, North Yorkshire Police spokesman, said: "Every employee with North Yorkshire Police, officers or civilians, undergoes human rights training and diversity training. It is a very strong part of the work ethic at the force.

"North Yorkshire is a good county, a decent county. In every incident where a racial element is reported, we investigate it as a race crime - even if it turns out not to be the case.

"We are happy with what the statistics report. However, it is not about statistics but about good relations in the community."

Updated: 11:13 Saturday, April 05, 2003