HATE crimes including racism have fallen slightly in Bolton during the past year.

A report reveals that in the 12 months from May, 2004, until April, 2005, 351 hate crimes were recorded in the town - down two from 351 the previous year.

Police define a hate crime as any offence against a person or property that is motivated by the offenders hatred of the victim because of their sex, race, religion, disability or sexual orientation.

The crimes include affray, criminal damage, arson, wounding, threats to kill and robbery.

The majority of hate crimes in Bolton - 289 - were motivated by race.

Asians or British Asians were targeted most, with 139 recorded crimes, while white victims accounted for 93.