NEW figures show racist criminals are being successfully brought to justice in Wiltshire, with conviction rates higher than the national average.

The total conviction rate for racist crimes in Wiltshire was 93 per cent, compared to the national figure of 86 per cent, according to figures released by the Crown Prosecution Service this week.

The number of people in court for racially motivated crimes rose in Wiltshire by 13 per cent last year, matching the national increase.

According to the figures, released on Tuesday, police in Wiltshire referred 66 charges for racially aggravated offences to the CPS from 2003-4, of which 43 were prosecuted.

The vast majority of those prosecuted were racially aggravated public order offences, dealt with in the magistrates' court, and 77 per cent of the defendants pleaded guilty.

Karen Harrold, chief crown prosecutor, said: "Racially motivated cases are some of the hardest to prosecute but CPS Wiltshire has an excellent record of bringing offenders to justice, with a conviction rate of 93 per cent.

"More race cases are being identified and successfully prosecuted than this time last year as we are taking a robust approach in all our racial cases.

"We have appointed a lead lawyer to ensure all of our staff are fully trained and to ensure that all racial cases are treated with due priority.

"Victims, witnesses and their families as well as the general public can have confidence that we take the issue of combating race crime in Wiltshire seriously.

"In particular we are committed to supporting victims and doing everything possible to ensure any evidence of racial aggravation is presented fully to the court when considering sentence."

In racially aggravated cases where charges were dropped, nearly half were abandoned because of insufficient evidence.