GENDER based hate crime is officially being recognised by police in South Gloucestershire.

The move by Avon and Somerset Police sees them become only the third force in the country to acknowledge the crime, with the change aiming to increase victims’ confidence to report incidents.

Officers have unveiled the decision at the start of National Hate Crime Awareness Week, which runs until Friday, focusing on challenging disability, race, sexual orientation, religious, transgender and gender hate crimes.

Analysis of current crime reports indicates gender will account for 41 per cent of hate crime in Avon and Somerset, despite the under-reporting of hate crime by women, particularly amongst transgender and Muslim communities.

Despite a 46 per cent increase in hate crime reports across the region since 2015, it is anticipated that two in five hate crimes still aren’t reported to police.

Avon and Somerset Police lead for hate crime, Superintendent Andy Bennet said: “Recognising gender as an aggravating factor in hate crime is a huge step towards ensuring the streets and homes we live in are free from prejudice.

“Our message is hate crime won’t be tolerated, we take all reports seriously and we encourage anyone who needs our help to tell us or one of our local support partners”.

PCC Sue Mountstevens added that she was “delighted” the force would be monitoring gender as a motivation and encouraged victims to report them.

She said: “Being targeted because of your age, sexuality, race, religion or gender identity is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in Avon and Somerset.”

National Hate Crime Awareness Week activity wraps up on Friday with an hour-long Facebook Live from 6pm, hosted by Supt Andy Bennet, SARI strategic director, Alex Davis and Lighthouse lead for hate crime, Rob Fortune.

To follow the police activity through the week, visit www.facebook.com/avonandsomersetpolice or www.twitter.com/ASPolice.