Victims of hate crime across Dyfed-Powys are being urged to report the incidents to police before they occur again.

Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon says new data reveals that dozens of incidents go unreported.

He said: “Nobody should suffer in silence; I urge victims to report hate crime as soon as possible.

“If you are the victim of hate crime, it’s not your fault – you have the right to live free from abuse and harassment.”

Hate crime is directed against people because of who they are; because of their race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. It could include verbal abuse, racist or homophobic graffiti or physical assault.

Mr Salmon funded an anti-hate crime roadshow around Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys in October.

Victims were asked questions by staff from Victim Support Wales in locations such as Llanelli, Carmarthen, Tenby, St Davids, Haverfordwest, Aberystwyth, Newtown and Llandrindod Wells.

The survey revealed that 26% of victims don’t report a hate crime until at least the fourth occurrence. Around 18% wait for three incidents before reporting them.

Most believed that the police would take their report seriously – but half said they were worried about reporting the incident.

Victim Support’s All-Wales Hate Crime Manager Gareth Cuerden said: “Our activity during Hate Crime Awareness Week Wales allowed us to further understand this problem.

“Hate crime has a major impact on society. Not only does it affect the victim but also their families, friends and witnesses. Unfortunately it continues to go unreported.”

The Welsh Government provided Mr Salmon with £3,000 to fund activity. This included the roadshow and the distribution of marketing material by Victim Support and Dyfed-Powys Police hate crime support officers (HCSOs).

The HCSOs met around 2,800 members of the public when they visited community organisations such as charities, youth clubs, schools and colleges.

In the 18 months to November 2015, Dyfed-Powys Police referred 291 hate crime victims to Victim Support (Carmarthenshire 115, Ceredigion 34, Pembrokeshire 66, Powys 76). Of these, 190 reported race issues, 62 disability matters and 29 sexuality issues.

Dyfed-Powys Police Deputy Chief Constable Liane James said: “We treat hate crime reports in confidence and in a robust manner to ensure we safeguard our communities.

“Hate crimes and incidents hurt; they can be confusing, frightening and can leave victims feeling vulnerable and insecure. Anyone could be a victim of a hate crime.

“By reporting crimes and incidents when they happen, communities allow us to investigate, bring offenders to justice and prevent these incidents from happening to someone else.

“Such reports help us to understand the extent of hate crime in local areas so we can better respond to it.

“Reporting hate crime makes a difference - to you, your friends, your life and to us in Dyfed-Powys Police.”

If you don’t want to tell the police, tell Victim Support – www.reporthate.victimsupport.org.uk, 0300 30 31 982.