TWO out of every three transgender resident have endured some kind of hate from bigots, a new report has revealed.

The offence is the least reported type of hate crime in Greater Manchester, the Transphobic Hate Crime Report produced for Greater Manchester Police says.

Research for the report - released during Hate Crime Awareness Week - showed 67 per cent of transgender people had suffered abuse and 70 per cent had been verbally abused because of who they are.

Assistant Chief ConstableGarry Shewan said: "Hate crime is something that must not be tolerated.

"I believe that by working together we can make a difference, strengthen our communities and make hate crime a thing of the past.

"The route to ending hate crime is not going to be easy. This report documents trans victims’ real experiences of hate crime and sets out real challenges for the police, criminal justice system, local authorities, partner agencies and voluntary organisations.

"It recommends actions that we need to take forward to achieve our goal of ending trans hate crime.

"We have to make a commitment to victims and potential victims of trans hate crime that it is taken seriously and we are listening to what they have to say."

The report recommends a raft of measures designed to boost reporting rates, instil confidence in victims and produce better outcomes.

It includes better training of transgender issues for frontline staff and dedicated staff taking the lead in such matters as well as consideration of use of restorative justice for transphobic hate cases and trying to make public transport safer.

Previously the work was highlighted of a Bolton-based Challenger PCSO who had won the confidence of a small transgender community living in Tonge and The Haulgh whose members had suffered abuse at the hands of local teenagers.

Tony Lloyd, Greater Manchester's interim mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Greater Manchester leads the way in tolerance and understanding – a region that embraces and celebrates diversity.

“We have made progress in challenging hate crime and encouraging people to speak out and report it in all its forms. While the number of trans people reporting hate crime is low, reports are increasing. I hope this trend reassures the trans community, showing that more people are coming forward, confident that they will be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.

“But we still have a way to go and this report will help us shape how public bodies, like the police, work with the trans community to make sure their needs are met, so that together we can build inclusive, strong communities and end hate crime."

One per cent of all hate crime is related to transgender abuse. Just seven of the 35 incidents reported to GMP in 2014/15 were solved.