More consultation is urged with minority communities

However, community relations leaders have said that the rate of increase is slowing, reflecting improved police practice when dealing with black and ethnic minority issues.

Last year there were 3,607 racist incidents reported to police.

That was an increase of 250 on 2001 - the smallest annual increase for four years.

The study by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) highlighted a number of measures needed to improve the current situation.

These include consultation with minority groups on the issues of asylum and immigration.

The report, Pride and Prejudice, reviews police race relations in Scotland and makes 24 recommendations to chief constables.

Much remains to be done and HMIC detected a strong desire within the police forces of Scotland to push on with the agenda of reform Sir Roy Cameron Chief inspector of constabulary

It calls for a broadening of the existing consultation with minority groups, with particular focus on those seen as "hard to reach" such as ethnic minority young people and women.

It also highlights the need to improve levels of senior liaison and dialogue in Scotland on the issues of immigration and asylum and positive action in recruiting ethnic minority police officers.

Sir Roy Cameron, the chief inspector of constabulary, said: "It is clear that much has been done, with programmes of reform well under way on many issues, including police training, community consultation, and responding to racist incidents.

"It is equally clear that much remains to be done and HMIC detected a strong desire within the police forces of Scotland to push on with the agenda of reform."

He said the review showed that race relations in Scotland were dynamic, with emerging issues presenting themselves as challenges to be addressed and overcome alongside the already established concerns.

"Consequently, there is a focus in the report on the subjects of community cohesion, asylum and immigration, and the link between international tensions and domestic policing," Sir Roy added.

When racism occurs in the community, the police must be swift to respond and effective in the way they do it Cathy Jamieson Justice Minister

"These are issues which HMIC sees as providing significant challenges for police services in the future."

The West of Scotland Community Relations Council said police practice had become much more consistent following the reports into the killing of the black London teenager Stephen Lawrence - which alleged institutional racism in the Metropolitan service.

But senior community relations officer Maggie Chetty said there was still evidence of under-reporting, particularly among refugees and asylum seekers.

"There nervous perhaps about asylum applications that are going in, so they don't want to rock the boat," she said.

"They don't know where to go or where to access help and they may feel that if they report crime they'll end up with further attacks."

Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson welcomed the report and said she was confident progress would continue as police forces build on the work which has already been done.

She said: "The people in Scotland deserve a police service which works to meet the needs of everyone, taking account of cultural, religious and language difference.

"When racism occurs in the community, the police must be swift to respond and effective in the way they do it.

"HMIC highlights some important areas which chief constables will now wish to give attention to.

"Indeed, I know that some issues are already being addressed and the Scottish Executive will play its part in assisting with this process."