TO many, the news that the number of racist hate crimes being reported in East Lancashire is on the increase is alarming.

But experts actually say the newly released figures are incredibly positive and should be seen as a major step forward.

That is because they believe victims of these crimes now feel able to report them to the police knowing they will be investigated seriously.

And those affected will also be given the support they need to get over their ordeals.

According to Sylvia Lancaster, founder of the Sophie Lancaster Foundation, which encourages victims to report hate crimes to police, these offences are known to be under reported by around a third.

The new figures however indicate that when people suffer a hate crime, more people in the area are recognising they are the victim of that particular crime and want to do something about it.

In turn it means police can see a better picture of what is really happening and make more resources available to tackle the problem.

So the message is clear, if you feel you have been targeted in this awful way you really need to report the incident to the police.