THE number of racially-motivated incidents reported to Lancashire Police has risen for the second year running.
The new figures showing the five per cent increase from 320 in 1995/96 to 337 in 1996/97 have prompted Home Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw to declare war on racism on Britain's streets.
The rise followed a 44 per cent increase in reported incidents from 222 in 1994/95 although this figure was 15 per cent down on the previous 12 months total of 262.
Mr Straw said: "My message is clear - racism in our multi-cultural society is unacceptable.
"The rise in reported racial incidents is disturbing. However, I am encouraged to see that this is in part due to increased confidence amongst the ethnic minorities in reporting them."
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