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Study: 88% of LGBT people in rural towns hit by hate crime

Around 88 per cent of gay people in villages and rural towns have been the victim of a hate crime, an expert has warned - with figures suggesting the problem is hugely under-reported.

Dr Stevie-Jade Hardy, a lecturer at the University of Leicester's Centre for Hate Studies, interviewed 50 people as part of a new report into crimes targeting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.

London Pride Parade 2014 Credit: PA

She said too many were left "lonely and isolated, with nowhere to turn" as hate crime had become an "everyday reality" for them - and they fear police will not take the report seriously.

There were many instances in which LGB and T people were being targeted by young people within their area. It would often start with young people shouting derogatory names and then escalate to where victims' houses were being vandalised.

Victims were often fearful about reporting these forms of hate crime in case it made the situation worse. It is these everyday experiences that are incredibly difficult to deal with - the drip, drip effect.

The impact can be devastating. Some LGBT people are scared to leave the house, feeling anxious, fearful and vulnerable.

It is a big issue.

– Dr Stevie-Jade Hardy, University of Leicester

She said statistics suggested around 35,000 hate crimes against LGBT people went unreported every year.