Wales race prosecutions rise 55%

Most of the rise is attributed to public disorder crimes

Race crime prosecutions in Wales rose by 55% last year, compared to a 29% increase across the UK as a whole.

The number of prosecutions for racially-aggravated offences rose from 269 to 419 for the year up to March 2005.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which compiled the figures, said they reflected a trend as more people were more prepared to report race crime.

Most were in south Wales, where there were 241 prosecutions (155 previously).

In the Gwent Police area the figure rose from 57 to 74 while there was a slight fall in Dyfed-Powys from 29 to 26.

I think we need to remain vigilant to make sure that this kind of trend is reversed Naz Malik, All-Wales Ethnic Minority Association

In the North Wales Police area there were 78 prosecutions, compared to 28 last year.

The chief crown prosecutor for Wales, Chris Woolley, said one of the reasons behind the rise was changing attitudes, with more people willing to come forward to report such crimes.

Most of the incidents reported were for public order offences, with about 10% assaults.

RACE PROSECUTIONS Dyfed-Powys: 29 (down 3) Gwent: 57 (up 17) North Wales: 78 (up 50) South Wales: 241 (up 96) Total: 419 (up 150) From 1 April, 2004 - 31 March, 2005. Source: Crown Prosecution Service

"In south Wales we have the biggest urban population and we think the police and CPS are actually doing quite a good job, reflecting the views of the community, encouraging people to come forward and report crime, and we're taking action on it," Mr Woolley told BBC Radio Wales.

The CPS did not think the rise in crime reported reflected an actual increase in crime, he added.

"We think it's more likely that people are ready to report it, ready to support us through a prosecution," Mr Woolley said.

More people are willing to report race crime, according to the CPS

"There has been a trend upwards since the figures were introduced in 2000."

Naz Malik, director of the All-Wales Ethnic Minority Association, said: "What I find rather pleasing - and that we can celebrate - is that people from all kinds of different cultures and racial backgrounds are taking the issue of race and race crime very seriously and are prepared to stand up and be counted."

Aled Edwards, chair of the Welsh Refugee Council, added: "The freakery of racism is still abhorrent and all the indicators say it is happening and we should fight and be robust in our response to that."

The figures were released as seven people were arrested over an attack on three men in what police believe was a racially-motivated incident.

The three men - aged 21, 24 and 51 - needed treatment at Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales, after the attack on 3 November in the Tremorfa area of the city.

Ethnic minority leaders in Cardiff are holding talks with police after the attack on the men, who were on their way to a mosque.

A South Wales Police spokesman said: "The events are being treated as racially motivated."