NEW figures that show disability hate crime is on the rise are just the tip of the iceberg, campaigners have warned.

Across Cumbria in 2015, there were 60 reported incidents of disability hate crime - up by a fifth compared to the previous year.

The figures have been obtained by the Evening Mail through a Freedom of Information request and show Barrow is proportionally one of the worst places for the crime, with victims reporting 26 cases in the last four years, second only to Carlisle.

However, there are claims that the figures do not show the true scale of the problem as many cases go unreported, with some disabled people simply 'putting up' with abuse on a regular basis.

Yearly increases

Margaret Burrow MBE, chief executive officer at Barrow & District Disability Association and member of the South Cumbria Independent Advisory Group, said: "Tackling hate crime is one of our priorities.

"So many people don't report it and we are coming up with ways to come forward without having to go to the police station.

"Complaints that have come to us are mostly people with learning disabilities being verbally abused on a continuous basis."

The Independent Advisory Group consists of volunteers who meet six times a year to provide police with advice to improve services and ways to identify and tackle specific problems.

Recorded disability hate crime in Cumbria has increased annually for the last three years, increasing from 21 cases in 2012, 23 in 2013, 50 in 2014 and 60 in 2015.

Under reported

Cumbria police has launched various campaigns to encourage more victims of hate crime to come forward.

Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Roy Ledingham, who is the force lead on disability hate crime, said: “We know that hate crimes and incidents in Cumbria have been under reported.

"Our goal remains to build confidence in victims and witnesses to come forward and speak to us which is why I welcome this increase."

To report a hate crime to the police call 101 or 999 in an emergency.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

OUR VIEW: Hate crime rise is worrying