A LEADING LGBTQIA+ charity is introducing support services aimed at victims of hate crime as incidents across the North East continue to rise.

The latest figures available from the four police force areas in the region revealed 951 reports of hate crimes linked to sexual orientation or transgender people were recorded in 2020-21, a 108 per cent increase from 458 in 2016-17.

Northumberland Pride, which provides support services and training programmes for LGBTQIA+ people across the North East, is now offering one-to-one support and advocacy services to those who have encountered hateful actions from the public.

Services were launched following funding from the Ministry of Justice and the Supporting Victims Fund from the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner.

Angela Brudenell, the charity’s manager, said: “Sadly, reports of hate crime aimed at people within the LGBTQIA+ community have become more common across the North East but we want those affected to know that there is help, support and acceptance out there to help them through it."

Angela said these statistics don’t reveal the full picture of the volume of incidents.

"Some victims don’t feel comfortable or may be too embarrassed to go to the police, while some who have been shouted at in the street, for example, may actually not realise that the actions are classed as a hate crime.

"Northumberland Pride is reaching out to these people to help them through any discrimination they may have faced but don’t want to go to the authorities, and let them know they don’t have to go through these experiences alone."