Hate crime rocketed by 40% in Brighton and Hove in the last year.

The increase has prompted concern among minority groups in the city with one community leader describing such crimes as a “cancer on our society”.

Sussex Police figures reveal the number of hate crimes recorded in 2014 to be 353.

In 2013 there were just 253 – an increase of 40%.

The majority for 2014 – 249 of the cases – were classed as racist crimes.

Tariq Jung, chair of the Brighton and Hove Muslim Forum, voiced his concerns about the figures.

He said: “The whole community should be concerned about any crime – whether it is homophobic, antisemitic, Islamophobic or anything else “Every effort should be made to cut it out. It is a cancer on our society.

“Because the Brighton and Hove Muslim population has risen, these things are becoming more visible – whether it is swearing at a Muslim woman on a bus or saying hurtful things on the street.”

Ninety-four of the hate crime incidents reported in 2014 were classed as homophobic – a rise from 62 in the previous year.

Director of Brighton and Hove LGBT Switchboard, Maria Antoniou, said hate crimes remain a problem, despite the city’s reputation as a welcoming place.

She added: “We suspect the figures are due to increased reporting and recording but we also know that the crimes reported are just the tip of the iceberg.

“There are many more hate incidents that are not reported. For example, some LGBT people suffer harassment for years before reporting it, and others sadly believe hate incidents are part of everyday life for LGBT people.

“This is not the case, and we would always encourage LGBT people to report hate incidents.

“If they need support to do so, or want to talk to someone about their experiences, they can call Switchboard’s helpline and speak to one of our trained volunteers.”

Sussex Police bosses put the increased figures down to a rise in the reporting of crimes.

A spokesman said: “We welcome the increase in reporting which reflects an increasing confidence in police and other agencies from vulnerable people and communities.

“Many of these incidents are at a comparatively low level, not involving violence, but they can still have a disruptive effect on people’s lives and we will always treat such reports seriously.”

He added the Brighton and Hove Division has dedicated case workers who work with local statutory and voluntary partners to support victims of hate crime, encourage reporting and build relationships with groups such as the disabled and LGBT communities.