MORE than 40 per cent of hate crime is not reported to the police – with some strands of hate crime experiencing particular barriers to reporting, Gwent Police say.

The police force has said that they are focused on hate crime against the disabled, Gypsy Roma Traveller communities, new migrants and transgender communities.

Detective Chief Superintendent and hate crime lead for Gwent Police, Mark Warrender, said: “Although there has been a steady increase in the overall recording of hate crime, it is still a prominent issue which is significantly under-reported.

“The Crime Survey for England and Wales has previously indicated that over 40 per cent of personal hate crimes are not reported to the police.” He continued: “Some strands of hate crime are more under reported than others.

“Disability hate crime has been a focus for us for some time to improve confidence and encourage reporting and will continue to be, along with other strands of hate crimes as well as specific communities within those strands where there are particular barriers to reporting like Gypsy Roma Traveller, new migrants and transgender communities.”

He said that Gwent Police now has 32 Hate Crime Support Officers (HCSOs), who are police officers and police staff who volunteer to receive enhanced training and provide additional support to victims of hate crime.

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, Jeff Cuthbert, said that there should be no room for hate crime in society.

He said: “I want Gwent to be a place where people can live, work and contribute to our communities without living in constant fear of experiencing hatred of any kind.

“A culture where victims feel that they have to suffer in silence is not acceptable and hate in any form will not be tolerated here in Gwent.

“We have to teach people that hate abuse is wrong from a young age. It’s about making more people aware of diversity.”