NEARLY 100 hate crimes were reported to Gwent Police between January and May this year.

The figures, which were revealed in a Hate Crime and Disability Related Harassment report to the Gwent police and crime commissioner yesterday (TUE), also show that 240 hate crimes were reported to police between July 2014 and May 2015.

October and November 2014 were the highest months with 31 and 34 reports respectively, while May 2015 was the lowest with 12.

Between June 2014 and May 2015 there were also 601 hate incidents reported, with 210 between January and May 2015.

Again, the highest numbers of reports were between October and November when there were 96 and 66 incidents each.

In a bid to tackle the problem National Hate Crime Awareness Week will take place again this October, and the Welsh Government has awarded each Welsh police and crime commissioner £4,000 to help promote activities.

Last year’s activities within Gwent proved successful, with reported hate incidents peaking during October, and it is hoped that this year’s awareness week will have the same impact.

Since January this year, hate crime support officers (HCSOs) have provided support to more than 120 victims in the Newport area.

Officers were given two days of training in Newport in April last year where, historically, the majority of Gwent’s hate incidents are recorded.

Numbers of HCSOs have declined due to staff movements and retirement, so a recent invitation for expressions of interest was circulated across the force. There were around 15 positive responses, which will double current numbers and allow the HCSO project to roll out across the force.

Umbrella Gwent, a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community project which launched recently across Gwent, is also being used to target hate crime.

Based in the Victims Hub, Umbrella Gwent provides a quick and simple way for victims and witnesses to report hate incidents and crimes, anonymously, direct to the police or through an advocate.