News and Star readers have reacted to the news that homophobia was behind one in five crimes in Cumbria last year.

Home Office data shows Cumbria Constabulary recorded 124 homophobic and biphobic hate crimes in the year to March – 25 fewer than the year before.

It means someone's sexual orientation was a motivating factor in 18 per cent of the 681 hate crimes recorded in the county last year.

Charity Galop, which runs an LGBTQ+ hate crime helpline, said the pandemic has fuelled abuse, adding some callers said their attackers believe the outbreak to be a punishment for LGBTQ+ lifestyles.

Leni Morris, the charity’s CEO, said: “Lockdowns brought with them an escalation of abuse from homophobic and transphobic neighbours, with some of our clients experiencing break-ins and yet having few places to flee due to the restrictions.

“Around 70 per cent of same-sex couples avoid holding hands in public for fear of attack, but social distancing has made same-sex couples visible in public – and this has indeed led to attacks.”

On the News and Star Facebook page, residents have shared their sadness over the news.

When asked if the news shocked readers, John Welsh said: “Sadly it doesn't, prejudice is everywhere.”

Trish Gosling-Barnes continued: “It’s always been there, I lost count of the amount of abuse I got as a teen in Carlisle.”

David Eyley feels that the county is falling further behind in comparison to other areas of the country. He commented: “Having moved here from Birmingham some years ago, Cumbria is years behind in promoting and accepting a multicultural and diverse society. Children sometimes copy their parents long held beliefs and attitudes, which is hard to break, and is ingrained. Not sure what the answer is; more education, more influencers promoting it, greater punishments for this sort of crime, or a mix of every one of those. But it needs to change, or once again, Cumbria will be left behind; stuck in the time-warp that it is now.”

Tyler Miller has managed to live his life without being targeted, but knows it happened to others. He said: “I've been lucky not to have any directed at me in Windermere, but I know a lot who have had it, friends and family.”