PREJUDICED bigots are more likely to be convicted for hate crimes in Sussex than anywhere else in the country, figures show.

The Crown Prosecution Service said nine out of every ten defendants in court are convicted for racist crimes in the county.

There are only four police forces in the country where there are similar conviction rates.

A CPS report published on Friday shows the conviction rate for racially or religiously aggravated offences is 92.9 per cent.

Meanwhile there was a drop in homophobic and transphobic incidents, from 45 crimes in 2017 to 2018 to 42 in the same period this year.

Hostility towards the disabled remained low, with just ten cases dealt with by the CPS in the past year.

The figures record crimes motivated either in part or entirely because of prejudice. Defendants found guilty face tougher sentences.

Frank Ferguson from the CPS said: “Hate crimes are particularly appalling because they target someone for who they are, be it their race, disability, sexuality, transgender identity or religion.

“They also spread fear within communities when they happen, which is why tackling hate crime is one of our priorities.

“These figures should help to give confidence to anyone who is a victim of a hate crime to come forward and report what has happened to them.”

Mr Ferguson appealed to those who are disabled to have the confidence to report crimes committed against them. He added: “The feedback we hear from those who represent people with disabilities is that abuse, be it online, verbal or physical, is common.”

“we are working closely with those groups and individuals to understand the barriers to reporting disability hate crime and how we can support victims who do come forward.”

Sussex Police has a section to report hate crime on its website.

Have you been affected by a hate crime? Share your story. Email: aidan.barlow@theargus.co.uk or call 01273 021383.