FIGURES suggest just one in 10 hate crimes related to someone’s sexual orientation led to a charge or summons in Cumbria last year.

LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall said police must do more to investigate potential crimes and improve the low number of charges relative to offences across the country.

Figures obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request show there were 173 sexual orientation hate crimes recorded by Cumbria Constabulary last year.

Of those, just 18 (10.4 per cent) had led to a charge or summons at the time of the request.

At least 13 (eight per cent) were dropped because a suspect could not be identified, and the victim did not support further action.

Data from the 32 forces across England and Wales that provided information on investigation outcomes shows only 1,648 (nine per cent) of the 17,824 offences recorded in 2021 led to a charge or summons.

Forces were asked to provide the number of hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation, and the investigation outcomes, for each of the last five years.

While some offences may have still been under investigation at the time of the request, the landscape of low charge rates is reflected across the country.

Meanwhile, separate Home Office figures released recently show the number of offences in Cumbria, where sexual orientation-motivated hate crimes rose by 52 per cent from 124 in 2020-21 to 188 in 2021-22.

A Cumbria Constabulary spokesperson said: “Hate crime is never tolerated in Cumbria.

“We take all reports seriously and all reported hate crime is investigated by officers.

“Targeting a person because of who they are or their sexual orientation is unacceptable.

“Those guilty of such crimes should expect to be held to account by the police for their actions.

“Whilst the figures show that Cumbria is above the national average for investigation outcomes resulting in a charge or summons, the constabulary is committed to doing all it can to bring perpetrators to justice.

“I would like to reassure anyone who has been the victim of a hate crime, that we are here to help and to listen, even if you do not wish to take the investigation forward or just have questions. We can also refer you to independent, free, local support services.

“If you do not feel you are able to contact us for any reason, please talk to someone you trust to report on your behalf or contact Victim Support or report a crime anonymously through the True Vision website.

“If you are a victim or witness a hate crime or hate incident, please report it to us so we can take action against those committing this type of crime.

“Support is also available for victims without police involvement; you can visit Victim support for more information.”

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