The number of LGBT hate crimes reported in Bury have almost doubled in the last year, according to a Labour council leader.
Mike Connolly said there had been a 93% increase in hate crime against the LGBT community speaking at a meeting of the council earlier this month.
Police recorded 30 incidents of crime targeted at LGBT individuals in Bury, 25 of which were reported as hate crime.
“Despite what may seem a dramatic rise in numbers, I still believe that this is only the tip of the iceberg and would encourage anyone who has been a victim to come forward,” Councillor Connolly said.
“The amount of reported hate crime is going up and in fact there was more in the first nine months of this year than there was in the whole of the preceding 12 months.
“To me there isn’t in a year a sudden change in attitudes or tolerance; it’s a little bit deeper than that.”
Press Association stats revealed Greater Manchester police recorded 278 violent crimes motivated by a person’s sexual orientation between January and October, up from 231 in 2013 and 269 in 2012.
The increase has been partially attributed to recent homophobic attacks on the Metrolink.
Councillor Tim Pickstone, Bury representative for Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner said more people were reporting hate crime because they are more confident that action will be taken by the police.
“It is great that the police are working hard to make it easier for members of the LGBT community to report homophobic hate crime, but this increase in reported crime is not something anyone should be proud of,” he said.
“The attack on two young men on the Bury Metrolink line earlier this Autumn has highlighted the need for the police, and other public authorities, to take very seriously their roles in ensuring Greater Manchester is a safe place to lesbian, gay, bi and trans.”
There will be renewed action over the coming months as refresher training for hate crime report centres and workshops for over 2000 young people are introduced, he added.
“Building confidence can take time and I am pleased that we are doing our bit in Bury,” Councillor Connolly said.
Hate crime awareness week will be held from January 26 to February 5.
Image courtesy of Katie Tegtmeyer, with thanks.
