Homophobic hate crime charges down despite rising reports.

Police said there was little evidence for many homophobic hate crimes and victims may choose not to bring a case to court (Image: BBC)

Fewer people are being prosecuted for homophobic hate crimes despite rising numbers of potential victims coming forward, figures suggest.

Recorded reports of homophobic abuse in the UK increased from 5,807 in 2014-15, to 13,530 in 2018-19.

But during the same period, the number of prosecutions fell from…