However, the numbers suggest that the number of offenders being brought to justice hasn't risen in line with the number of hate crimes being recorded. The number of crimes ‘solved’ by Merseyside police – that is, resulting in a charge, caution or other resolution – rose from 44 in 2007 to 94 in 2017. While it used to be the case that half of all homophobic hate crimes were solved, now only one in five is solved. Meanwhile, in a statement, Merseyside police told BBC Three there has been a 38% rise in trans hate crime since last year, with most victims aged between 26-35.