RACISM is widespread in English football with police having to deal with hundreds of incidents from the top of the game right down to grassroots level, an investigation has revealed.

The report revealed that Chelsea supporters have been involved in the most number of reported racist incidents as they travelled to and from matches on trains.

The information, gathered by the Press Association from 24 police forces across the country, shows there have been over 350 incidents since 2012.

But as that only accounts for around half the police forces in the country, the actual figure is likely to be much higher.

Cheshire Police recorded four incidents of football-related racism.

The charity Show Racism The Red Card said the number of incidents shows that racism is a societal problem and it was particularly shocked by the number of incidents of racist abuse at children's matches.

The British Transport Police said since 2012 it had dealt with 15 incidents of alleged racism involving Chelsea fans.

Manchester United were second with 10 incidents, followed by Leeds with 10, West Ham with eight, Arsenal with four and Portsmouth with four.

Gavin Sutherland, campaign co-ordinator at Show Racism The Red Card, said: "This data from police forces around the UK shows that although football clubs have taken strong action against people using racist language inside stadiums, racism is a real problem within society.

"People who exhibit racist behaviours in 2015 are doing so, in the main, away from football grounds.

"Especially worrying are the incidents of racist abuse at youth team football matches. People engaged in racist abuse at these venues know that they are more likely to get away with it, because of facilities, a lack of stewarding and security, but the impact on young people will be considerable.

"Primarily, they are being exposed to racism, which in itself is frightening, but also it may influence their own behaviour."