A huge rise in reported incidents of certain hate crimes can be attributed to the police doing a more vigilant job of recording the crimes and more people coming forward, rather than an increase in the crimes themselves, a new report published by the Home Office suggests. 

The biggest rises seen in the last year were motivated by disability (53 percent rise) and transgender status (47%).

Increases were also recorded for sexuality-motivated hate crimes.

Rises in religious and racially aggravated hate crime have been shown to correlate with the EU referendum and the Westminster Bridge terror attack.

Improved reporting

The Home Office say the large rises in the other hate crimes are down to "improved reporting" rather than "genuine increases."

Social stigma and crime can both have a damaging impact on our mental health.

LGBTQ individuals are almost three times more likely than others to experience a mental health condition such as major depression or generalised anxiety disorder.

Reporting hate crime

Mental Health Today has observed a large amount of transphobia online this week. Reporting of all online hate crimes is possible through a new online platform.

How does this story make you feel? Join our Twitter chat on gender and mental health support at 12pm, Wednesday October 18, using the hashtag #mhtchat