A NEW strategy has been launched to tackle hate crime in Gloucestershire after a rise in the number of incidents reported to police.

Gloucestershire Police and partner agencies gathered at the Guildhall in Gloucester yesterday for the launch of The County Hate Crime Strategy Group.

This follows a 10 per cent rise in offences over the past 12 months.

From September 2015 to August 2016 there were 283 hate crimes recorded – an average of 24 per month.

A hate crime co-ordinator, PC Steph Lawrence, has been appointed to lead the fight to stop offences where people are targeted because of their race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or trans-identity.

She said: “There are devastating consequences of hate crime. I myself have been affected by it, as well as some of my friends and family members. Two people who are close to me also committed suicide due to hate crimes.”

Part of PC Lawrence's role will be to find 'hidden victims' such as those from travelling communities or asylum seekers.

A number of officers across the force have volunteered to be part of the crusade to stop hate crime, on top of their other roles with the constabulary.

Chief Inspector Neil Smith, Gloucestershire Constabulary Hate Crime Strategic Lead, said: “Hate crime including racism has a huge effect on the victim."

Speaking about trans-identity related hate crime, he said: “There is a high suicide rate in the trans community. This needs to be addressed – the new strategy can help us to achieve this.”

CI Smith added: “It would be helpful if we have the opportunity to give fixed penalty tickets to someone calling someone a ‘tran’ for example.

"That might make a difference when the money has to come directly from their pocket or purse.”

The new strategy is backed by partner organisations including Victim Support, GARAS (Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers), GayGlos and Gloscats (Social Support for the Transgendered in Gloucestershire).

PC Lawrence will be working closely with Victim Support and other partners and community groups to raise awareness of hate crime.

Rebecca Richardson, Victim Support's lead on hate crime, said: “Our strategy has a strong victim focus – we aim to improve the responses victims get when they report crimes.”

A female victim of hate crime, from Cheltenham, was featured in a video by Victim Support at the launch. She said: “For a while I didn’t want to be here anymore. I didn’t want to be Asian. I wanted to take my skin off and dump it. The abuse I received that night will affect me for the rest of my life – it’s important people know that.”

The strategy includes education and raising awareness to ensure both victims and those who witness hate crimes feel able to report offences, and for officers to be better trained in recognising hate crime.