A SHARP spike in homophobic crimes has inspired the LGBT community to come together for a pride event.

The number of homophobic hate crimes in south Worcestershire more than doubled from 2016 to 2017.

There were 18 offences from April 2015 to March 2016, compared with 40 homophobic hate crimes between April 2016 and March 2017.

Another 30 offences have taken place since April 2017, with seven months of the statistical year remaining.

Dr Daniel Somerville, treasurer of the Worcestershire Pride committee, said homophobic hate crime in the county has increased higher than the national average.

The 50-year-old added that Worcestershire Pride want to tackle the phenomenon through a festival in the city, on Saturday September 23.

Dr Somerville, a lecturer in Drama and Performance at the University of Worcester, said: “The Worcestershire Pride organising committee are hoping to tackle this problem head on with a major pride event.

“We believe strongly that having a pride event in Worcester - for Worcestershire - will give visibility to the community and empower more LGBT+ people to have the confidence to live openly.

“Research also shows that cities with pride events have lower rates of homophobic hate crime.

“All of these things go towards reducing hate crime, which is often simply born out of misunderstanding, ignorance or unfamiliarity – fear of the unknown to put it simply.

“So we invite people to come and celebrate with us. Pride is open to all.”

Chief Inspector Jim Baker, the police lead for hate crime in South Worcestershire, said he has worked hard to give victims the confidence to come forward and report incidents.

He added that hate crimes are under-reported locally and nationally and welcomed the increased confidence victims have in the police.

“Behind each of these offences there is someone who is being targeted because of their sexuality,” he said.

“This is wrong and my message to these people is don’t suffer in silence.

“Worcester is a diverse place and on the whole people embrace diversity and we are proud to play our part in ensuring it is a safe place to live, work and visit for everyone.”

Mr Baker added that media coverage of hate crime has helped victims to speak out and said he supports the Worcestershire Pride event.

A hate crime is an offence that is motivated by a person’s race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or individual characteristics.

Worcestershire Pride is set to be held in Copenhagen Street car park, in Worcester, and will include market stalls, a dance tent and a main stage featuring live music.

Entry will be free and the event is being funded by a GoFundMe online page, www.gofundme.com/worcestershirepride

To report a hate crime, call 999 in an emergency, 101 in a non-emergency, or visit www.report-it.org.uk