A NEW strategy has been drawn up to tackle racist crime in York.

Recent police figures show there were 54 recorded incidents of racial harassment or crime in the city in the last year, and it is believed others go unreported.

So a task group, comprising York police, City of York Council, the York Racial Equality Network and other agencies, will ensure that all reported crimes where race is an issue is given special attention.

And victims will receive support, help and reassurance to help them through their ordeal.

York police community safety officer, PC John Bolton, said the investigation of all race crimes would be personally overseen by an officer of the rank of sergeant or above.

The community officer for the area would make regular weekly visits to the victim for one month after the last incident to keep them updated on progress in their case.

PC Bolton said York had particular problems when it came to racial crime not experienced in other Yorkshire cities.

He said: "Because ethnic minorities make up a small percentage of York's population there is not the same support network you get in a place like Leeds or Bradford.

"Also, because ethnic minorities are not very visible in the city, many people may assume that there isn't a problem. But, as far as we are concerned, just one incident is one too many because that individual will have been through a traumatic experience."

PC Bolton said he believed there was under-reporting of racial crime in the city, perhaps because of a lack of trust in the authorities.

The strategy will go out to public consultation with minority groups and neighbourhood forums next month and will be implemented in the New Year.

david.wiles@ycp.co.uk