The government is determined to reverse the growing number of hate crimes, a minister has pledged.

Crime Prevention Minister Norman Baker said steps were being taken after figures showed a five per cent increase in racist offences.

Home Office statistics revealed that more than 44,000 hate crimes were recorded by police in England and Wales in the 12-month period to the end of March this year.

The figures do not include data on how many incidents involved antisemitism or Jews, but do show that there was a 45 per cent rise in religiously-motivated incidents compared to the previous year.

The increase in hate crimes following the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby was a significant factor, the Home Office said.

Mr Baker said: "The coalition is determined to tackle hate crime. More victims are coming forward and the police are improving the way they identify hate crimes.

Government departments, charities and other organisations were working to increase reporting of crimes and improve support for victims, he said.