Attacks on members of the gay community have gone up by almost 50 per cent.

Homophobic crime in Brighton and Hove rose from 135 offences in 2005-06 to 184 in 2006-07.

The majority of the crimes reported were assaults followed by harassment and public order offences.

The city is commonly regarded as one of the most "gay friendly" in the world and has one of the largest gay populations in the country.

Perry French, Sussex regional manager of the Terence Higgins Trust, said: "The great thing about Brighton is people can live their lives the way the way they want to.

"As the community are more visible they are a more visible target.

"The increase in the number of crimes reported doesn't necessarily mean more crimes but people are more confident about going directly to the police about an incident.

"We have worked with the police and the city council. Specifically helping the police look at their attitudes and how police would deal with these types of crime."

Detective Sergeant Laurence Cartwright, of Sussex Police's anti-victimisation unit, said: "As always, the figures themselves tell an incomplete story.

"We believe that there is still a degree of under-reporting particularly among those who are victims of homophobic crime.

"An increase in the number of reported homophobic crimes may be indicative of a community that is more confident to report those crimes, rather than an actual increase in offences.

"For this reason we do not set reduction targets for hate crime. An increase in the number of reported homophobic crimes may be indicative of a community that is more confident to report those crimes, rather than an actual increase in offences.

"Our efforts are therefore largely directed at increasing trust and confidence amongst members of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transexual communities, and to encourage increased reporting of crime. These figures need to be seen in that context."

Earlier this year, Tim Evemy told The Argus of a terrifying homophobic attack him and his partner were subjected to in Richmond Place, Brighton.

Mr Evemy's partner, who did not want to be named, was left with severe bruising The two teenage thugs who attacked them shouted homophobic slurs at the couple before launching into an unprovoked assault.

Speaking at the time, Mr Evemy said: "It feels terrible to be attacked just for who you are.

"I thought it was safe, and somewhere where I could be myself.

"But it's changed. The people have become more aggressive.

"I never thought I'd be attacked here. We're both devastated.

"Homophobia isn't something I've ever come across here before, but I want to warn people what's out there."

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