Hate crimes towards gay, lesbian and bisexual people rose by almost a quarter over the last year in Sussex, recent figures have revealed.

Data obtained through a Freedom of Information request found that 677 hate crimes motivated by a person’s sexual orientation were reported to Sussex Police in 2021-22, up by 23 per cent from 552 in 2020-21.

The figures also revealed that just 85 cases reported last year led to a charge or summons.

At least 17 were dropped because a suspect could not be identified and the victim did not support further action, while a further 74 were closed due to evidential difficulties.

Data from the 32 forces across England and Wales found that only two regions, Northamptonshire and Suffolk, saw a drop in the number of such offences over the same time period.

Superintendent Nick Dias, hate crime lead for Sussex Police, said: “We know, over the last few years, there has been a national increase in reports of hate crime and that people will be concerned by this.

“We are committed to making sure hate crime in any form is not tolerated in Sussex, and we work with our partners to achieve this.

“It is not ok to be targeted because of who you are, or because of who people think you are.

“It is extremely damaging to victims and the wider community, and those found responsible for hate-related crimes will be dealt with robustly.”

He also said Sussex Police has “worked extensively” to ensure people feel safe and are able to report incidents of hate crime to police.

Supt Dias said: “We are committed to providing an outstanding service to victims of hate crime and have processes in place to regularly review our performance. This includes the multi-agency Hate Crime Working Group and an independently-chaired Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel, which makes recommendations on how the force’s response to hate crime can be improved.

“We are focused on increasing positive outcomes and will look at all possible options available to us, including the use of out-of-court disposals like Restore DiverCity. This is a restorative justice approach involving the victim and the offender that aims to change the offender’s behaviour by helping them understand the true impact of their crime.

“We encourage people to come forward so we can respond effectively, identifying those responsible and supporting those affected.”

LGBTQ+ charities said the rise in hate crimes in recent years is “deeply worrying”, but warned that many cases go unreported and the figures do not accurately represent the whole picture.

Leni Morris, CEO of anti-abuse charity Galop, said demand for the charity’s support services has continued to rise in the last six months.

She said: “Sadly, wherever our community is more visible, this tends to result in higher levels of abuse and violence.”

The National Police Chiefs’ Council said it takes all reports of hate crime seriously - admitting it often goes under-reported, and will continue to “bring offenders to justice and to protect our communities from abuse”.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: “The government takes all forms of hate crime seriously, including homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate crimes.

“While the rise in cases is likely to be largely driven by improvements in police recording, these can be serious crimes such as assualt and we cannot be complacent.

“We expect the police to fully investigate these hateful attacks and make sure the cowards who commit them feel the full force of the law.”