REPORTS of homophobic and transgender hate crime have increased in Cheshire in the past year.

Figures were revealed by the Association of Chief Police Officers on Thursday for the forms of hate crime monitored by the criminal justice system.

These show that nationally, figures have reduced from 51,920 crimes in 2009 to 47,979 crimes in 2010 while Cheshire’s figures increase from 244 to 326.

Moira Chapman, a member of Cheshire Police Authority, applauded the figures and said that Cheshire’s increase could be viewed positively.

“Ironically in Cheshire, we are pleased that there has been an increase in the numbers of reported homophobic and transgender hate crime.

“We know that these crimes have been significantly under-reported in the past and we suspect that more of these crimes take place but for one reason or another, people are reluctant to report it or don’t know that they should.”

She added: “The constabulary has set up more than 70 third party reporting centres across a number of voluntary and public bodies.

“This enables anonymous reporting of an incident in an environment of their choosing, whilst ensuring the victim, who otherwise would have not reported a concern, or incident, to obtain the right support and relevant help they require.”

Insp Mark Watson, from the Cheshire Constabulary communities unit, said: “Hate Crime is a vicious and targeted type of crime, often much more hurtful to victims than other types of crime.

“While we wish to reduce all types of crime, we know both locally and nationally that hate crime has been historically under-reported, so I am pleased to see an increase in reports in Cheshire this year, which means more of the victims of these offences can get the service they need from us at the earliest opportunity.”