Hate crimes against LGBTQ people in Lewisham, Bromley, Bexley and Greenwich have doubled since 2015, according to official police data.

Last year there were 392 hate crimes against LGBTQ people in Lewisham, Bromley, Bexley, and Greenwich.

191 were reported in the boroughs in 2015.

There were 392 homophobic offences and 33 incidents against transgender people reported in these four boroughs between January 2022 and December 2022.

Lewisham had the highest rate of homophobic crimes in Lewisham, Bromley, Bexley and Greenwich last year, with 126 reported.

It had the lowest number of transphobic offences, with six recorded in 2022.

The number of transphobic offences in Greenwich was higher than in Bromley, Bexley and Lewisham over the same time period, with 13 reported.

Bexley had the lowest rate of homophobic offences of the four boroughs, with 52 reported between January 2022 and December 2022.

Leni Morris, CEO of LGBT+ anti-abuse charity Galop, said: “We speak to victims daily who have faced abuse for who they are.

"Homophobic and transphobic hate crime has long-term impacts on a victim’s sense of safety – we see people less able to even leave their home because of what has happened to them.

“Only a very small number of cases are ever prosecuted. LGBT+ victims of abuse are constantly let down by the systems which are supposed to protect us.”

The number of homophobic monthly offences in Lewisham, Bromley, Bexley, Greenwich have decreased so far in 2023, according to the Met data.

There were eight less homophobic incidents reported in March in these boroughs than in January 2023.

Lewisham has had the biggest decrease of homophobic incidents of the four boroughs so far this year, going from 17 in January to 13 in March.

7.1 per cent of transphobic offences reported in London last year resulted in the attacker being charged, cautioned or a community resolution.

14.8 per cent of homophobic incidents in the capital resulted in the same.

The most common crimes against LGBTQ people across the capital are violence against a person and public order offences, which are acts of intimidation or assault in public.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “The Met has seen an increase in transphobic hate crime reports.

"Increases in recorded hate crime over recent years is driven by increased confidence in reporting, improvements in crime recording and a better understanding of what constitutes a hate crime.

“We want victims to feel confident to report any instances of hate crime and discrimination in any form, via a multitude of avenues available, including 3rd party reporting.

"We work alongside CATCH (Community Alliance to Combat Hate) who are a consortium of specialist hate crime support agencies.

“Anyone in London who is a victim of a hate crime is asked to report it to the police via 101 or tweeting @MetCC. Information can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online, or via the TruVision website: https://www.report-it.org.uk/.”