Religiously aggravated assault is now included in CPS figures

The CPS announced it brought racially aggravated cases against 3,116 defendants in 2002-2003 - 442 more than the preceding year.

The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) welcomed the figures.

However, it said there were still too many race-hate incidents not being reported and agencies should recognise the "ongoing challenge".

The CPS said the 2002-2003 conviction rate, 85%, was slightly up on last year with 69% of defendants choosing to plead guilty.

'Performance improving'

Its figures include religiously motivated crimes for the first time, but records just 18 incidents.

The CRE spokeswoman said the statistics were "an indication that the performance of both the police and the CPS is improving in this area".

"This indicates an increase in confidence, particularly from ethnic minority groups, that cases will be treated seriously by the authorities."

She added: "Encouraging agencies to recognise racial motivation is an ongoing challenge. There are still too many incidents going unreported."

The Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 made it illegal to use "threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour" intended or likely to incite hatred against a group of people because of their religious belief or lack of religious belief.

The offence carries a sentence of between two and seven years' imprisonment.