RACIALLY-motivated crimes are not as bad as the bare facts suggests according to a former Ipswich mayor.Albert Grant, today said he feels optimistic about racial relationships in Suffolk despite the county seeing the number of crimes almost doubling.

RACIALLY-motivated crimes are not as bad as the bare facts suggests according to a former Ipswich mayor.

Albert Grant, today said he feels optimistic about racial relationships in Suffolk despite the county seeing the number of crimes almost doubling.

He said: "I realise racially motivated crimes have increased in Suffolk. Obviously I am a little concerned but not to the extent that I believe the problem is out of control.

"We must keep an eye on it and be aware of the trend. We have a very good relationship and work very hard with the police and other organisations."

The number of defendants dealt with by the Suffolk Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for racist crimes has risen by 95 per cent in 2001/02.

The figures were revealed in the CPS Racist Incident Monitoring Scheme Annual Report 2001/02, which was published yesterday. It includes data on all racist incidents sent by the police to the CPS for prosecution.

The national average for racially-motivated crimes rose by 20% last year, following a 28.5% increase in the previous year.

Suffolk CPS brought cases against 43 defendants in 2001/02, from which 68% of the charges resulted in guilty pleas and 7% in convictions after trial. The national rate was 83%, the same as in 2000/01.