Reported racist incidents have more than doubled. The Thames Valley force, which covers Oxfordshire, handled a total of 999 complaints in the year 2000 compared with 486 in 1999 and 279 in 1998.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul West said the figures reflected a greater public awareness of racism and police determination to deal with the issue. He was speaking on the second anniversary of the report by Sir William Macpherson into police procedures following the murder of Stephen Lawrence.

Among the measures in a Thames Valley force strategy is a multi-agency hotline in Oxfordshire, allowing racist incidents in the county to be reported 24 hours a day.

Mr West said the Oxfordshire racism hotline "had been a major step forward in reaching out to the silent and vulnerable victims of racism.

There have also been several successful prosecutions for racist attacks and harassment.The Macpherson inquiry defined a racist incident as one "perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person" and Mr West said it had led to increased reporting of offences.

"We believe this increase reflects a growth in public confidence in the police's commitment to tackling racism and that is something we welcome.

"We remain committed to making it easier for victims to come forward," he said.

In September 1999, the Thames Valley force launched a 126-point action plan, based on four key aims: to reduce hate crimes, improve investigations, working more closely with other agencies and to open the force up to members of minority groups.