NEARLY 300 hate crimes were recorded in Cumbria in a year – but a string of schemes have been launched to tackle prejudice and bigotry.

Figures show alleged racist incidents made up 64 per cent of the complaints - a total of 185 reports - making this the largest single category.

Reports centering on sexual orientation were the second most frequent, making up 56 incidents, while allegations involving prejudice towards those with disabilities featured 44 times.

Police, the office of Cumbria’s crime commissioner, Richard Rhodes, and other agencies have linked up to carry out a number of measures to tackle the problem of hate crime.

These crimes are offences targeted at the victim because of hostility or prejudice towards features such as a person’s race, disability or sexual orientation.

Schemes include developing workshops to increase awareness of what hate crime is and how to report it.

Offenders have also been mentored by experts to learn of the effects of their prejudice.

Details of the work underway are revealed in a report from Mr Rhodes' office to the watchdog overseeing his work.

It states: “The commissioner is committed to encouraging the reporting of hate crime across all strands, including through engagement with relevant groups and communities.”

The county force is also required to report to Mr Rhodes on how it handles hate crime.

“By holding the chief constable to account on performance around hate crimes, the commissioner ensures that the force remains committed to tackling hate crimes and hate incidents and works to encourage victims to have the confidence to report to the police,” adds the report.

Young people were given sessions on knowing what hate crime is which aimed to increase their confidence to report offences.

Last year Mr Rhodes also launched a new website called Cumbria Together, providing information for victims and witnesses.

“This offers links to support services for all victims of all crime, including hate crimes, domestic abuse and sexual violence,” the report, to the county’s police and crime panel, adds.

The figures cover the period July 2014 to June 2015.