AN officer dedicated to fighting race hate attacks on minority groups will soon be patrolling the streets of Little Hulton and Walkden.

A Hate Crime Co-ordinator, employed by Salford Council, who will go out onto the streets to find out about problems faced by those from ethnic minorities and gay people. Last year there were 306 reports of hate crimes in the authority and the job of the new officer will be to increase the number of reports of victimisation over race or sexuality.

Cllr David Lancaster, Salford's Council's leading member for crime and disorder, said: "It might seem strange to want more but these types of crimes are under-reported by 30 per cent.

"Many people from ethnic minorities do not know who to report problems plus there are language difficulties. The authority is not reaching the ethnic community to find out what problems people face." The new post is part of Salford Council's Crime and Disorder Strategy which developed following consultation with the public.

Bolton Council also proposes to clamp down on hate crime in its strategy and is drawing up a detailed action plan which should be finished next month.

Interviews for the new post at Salford Council have taken place and an appointment will be announced in the next few weeks.