BOLTON Council and the police have asked for research to be carried out into how safe the town is for the LGBT community.

An extended report into a rise in homophobic hate crime in The Bolton News has prompted authorities to approach Manchester's LGBT Foundation.

Now, four focus group meetings have been arranged in Bolton in August, for LGBT residents to discuss any concerns and how safe they feel in thetown.

The LGBT Foundation has also launched an online survey, which closes on July 24, for residents to share their views.

The Be Safe Bolton Partnership, comprising the council, police and other agencies, is understood to have commissioned the work in part due to the recent closure of some LGBT societies.

Cllr Derek Burrows, cabinet member for community safety, said: "I encourage all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people living in Bolton to take part in this research so we can better understand the nature and impact of homophobic hate crime.

“There has been some real progress in tackling hate crimes in recent years but there is still more to do and we are committed to working with our BeSafe partners and wider stakeholders to ensure we play our part in delivering a better service to victims of homophobic hate crime.”

The Bolton News reported in February how homophobic crime had more than doubled, with 40 hate crimes relating to gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) people in the town in just 12 months, up 135 per cent on the previous year, when there were only 17 incidents.

The increase was despite police fears that there is "huge under-reporting" of the issue.

LGBT groups said Bolton is "backward" with the issue of gay rights, with one student saying she was shocked when she moved to the town from Brighton, and that she and her friends "cannot be themselves".

Det Insp Charlotte Cadden said: "It is going in the right direction but there is still a huge degree of under-reporting in relation to these offences.

"We have a hate crime action plan and that is to encourage reporting.

"The problem is even more acute with transgender crime because people feel embarrassed reporting crimes."

The focus groups are at Bolton Hub on Friday, August 21 from 12.30pm, before two at Bolton Central Library on August 22 and 24, from 10.30am and 5.30pm respectively.

The first is in Manchester at the LGBT Foundation on Friday, August 14.

At these, residents will be able to discuss their experiences as an LGBT resident of Bolton, including their experiences with hate crime and staying safe.

Shopping vouchers, as well as food and drinks will be provided to those who attend the focus groups.

If you would like to attend a focus group, email jessica.white@lgbt.foundation or by phone on 0345 330 3030.

To complete the survey visit https://lgbt.foundation/surveys/index.php?sid=73983&newtest=Y&lang=en. Anyone who does so will win £50 of shopping vouchers.