HATE crime in Dorset is going largely unreported, fear Police.

They believe most of the victims of attacks motivated by race, religion, disability or homophobia are suffering in silence.

The vile attacks are endured as people find it difficult to report the crimes because of fear or just a lack of knowledge of the support available.

Detective chief inspector John Gately, head of public protection for Bournemouth and Poole, is now urging people to come forward if they are targeted.

He said: “People who carry out these despicable crimes are cowards who need to be dealt with. We take hate crime very seriously, but we need to be able to identify it to be able to do anything about it.

“We want people to come to us so they are not suffering on their own and we can take positive action in what are very distressing situations.”

Hate crimes reports in Dorset did rise nine per cent last year to 324, with another 357 discrimination incidents not classed as criminal.

Racial and homophobic attacks make up the bulk of the reports, but crimes motivated by disability or religion are rarely reported. Police believe their work in targeting groups such as the foreign student community is beginning to pay off.

But they are encouraging not only victims of hate crimes, but also third parties to be prepared to stand up and report the cowardly attacks.

DCI Gately said: “We all have a responsibility to stamp out these acts.

“Hate crime is very corrosive and can have a very significant impact on society.”

Convictions for hate crime in Dorset are on the rise and police hope this will boost confidence in the authorities’ power to deal with the issue.

DCI Gately stressed there was much help available for victims from the NHS or social services, even if they weren’t interested in pursuing criminal charges against perpetrators.