RACIST incidents reported to Lancashire police look set to top the 1,000 mark by the end of the year.

The staggering total for the last 12 months is more than double the 1998/1999 figure, but police chiefs say it only proves the success of their strategy for reporting racist incidents as such.

Officers are being encouraged to report more harassment incidents and attacks as racist and a video has been produced giving examples of what sort of behaviour to look out for.

The force has changed its approach in the wake of the murder of black student Stephen Lawrence and the subsequent inquiry and Macpherson Report.

The report was published a year ago and included wide ranging recommendations for police forces.

Lancashire police say racism is one of the major problems facing the force and initiatives were launched during the year.

A recruitment drive aimed at the ethnic minority community began this year and a new code of conduct for officers was introduced. The aim is to encourage more reporting of racist incidents rather than ignoring the problem.

Former Blackburn police officer Superintendent Wendy Walker has been put in charge of the police's community and race relations strategy.

She said: " We have a very long way to go and much of the work we have already done will not show immediate results because don't want to give a knee-jerk reaction to complex issues and get things wrong.

"Inevitably, we will still make mistakes, but I certainly feel we are moving in the right direction and that we have a healthy regard for the Macpherson report as an opportunity for a fresh start.

"For years some very well informed people have been telling us about the things we could have been doing better.

"We have not always listened but we are listening and, more importantly, trying to take some positive action.

"We are committed to improving the services we deliver to everyone in Lancashire."

The latest developments will be discussed by Lancashire Police Authority on Thursday.

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