COUNCIL leader Barrie Grunewald says an increase in hate crimes reported in St Helens shows how much work there is still to be done on the issue.

According to figures from the Safer Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel, there were 107 incidents of hate crime between April and December of last year, up from 97 during the same period in 2014.

The St Helens Hate Crime Partnership meets four times a year to discuss the tackling of hate crime, involving council partners including the Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, local housing associations, St Helens College and St Helens Chamber of Commerce.

Of the 107 recorded hate crimes, 31 were classed as homophobic, ten more than the corresponding period in the previous year. There were also 41 incidents of racial hate crime, a decrease from the total of 59 recorded 12 months earlier.

Two cases classified as racial domestic incidents were reported, compared with none the year before and one case of racial hatred against a police officer.

There were also three cases of 'religious, racial' hate crimes reported, with none the previous year. And there were six reports of crimes against 'vulnerable adults', showing a three-fold increase on 2014.

At a St Helens Council cabinet meeting earlier this month, Cllr Richard McCauley, member for transport, housing and community safety, said: "Hate crime is different to other types of crime as it is motivated by personal prejudice and hatred and victims are reluctant to come forward.

"Further work is needed to ensure all partners play their part in tackling the issue."

Cllr Grunewald added: "It is unfortunate that we have seen a slight increase (in cases) and it shows how much work there is to be done in this area."