Five years on from 7/7: Reporting changes may blur figures for race hate

In 2005 there were 105 reports by Asians of racially aggravated crime – from verbal abuse to violence – in the City and Holbeck police division, which covers Beeston. By 2008 it had risen to 137 and last year was 128. Black residents reported 39 incidents in 2005 and 59 last year.

The number of race hate incidents reported by whites has gone up and then down again, with 45 in 2005, 60 in 2006, 51 in 2007, 49 in 2008 and 40 last year.

The total number of reported incidents for the division has seen several rises and falls over the past five years, with 295 in 2005, 312 in 2006, 282 in 2007, 316 in 2008 and 302 last year.

Police chiefs say that increased confidence in neighbourhood policing could account for the rise in reported incidents.

A spokesman said police had established a number of hate incident reporting centres.

He explained: "Over the above date range there has been considerable focus on neighbourhood policing teams which have played a significant role in the increase of public confidence in the police.

"Every hate crime and incident has a stringent management and investigation plan created. The vast majority of these are investigated by police officers on neighbourhood policing teams.

"It's reasonable to assume that all the work which has gone on in this area and the subsequent increased confidence, could explain the slight rise in reports."