NEW research into the extent of homophobic attacks in Southampton is set to take place over the next three months after an anti-gay attack outside a city pub.

Adrian Risdon, 52, of Freemantle, Southampton, was attacked by two men after he left a pub in St Mary's Rd.

He said: "One of the two came up to me and said, 'Are you a faggot?', and I didn't like the name.

"When I said I was, he punched me in the face, on the nose. I then ran right through the subway but either tripped or was tripped - I don't know which - and they caught up with me and kicked me twice in the face and then disappeared."

Police confirmed the incident at 1am on December 29 was being treated as a homophobic attack, and asked for anyone with information to call Southampton Central crime desk on 0845 045 4545.

Over the next three months, a team of experts from South-ampton Gay Community Health Service, the city council and the police will gather information on homophobic abuse and ass-ault, which will be used to identify ways to help victims of anti-gay crime.

Research carried out locally by Southampton Gay Community Health Service shows an increase in abuse, assault and unfair treatment at work between 1994 and 1998 and the level of homophobic crime reported to the police far lower than that actually experienced by the gay community.

Glenn Turner, chairman of the newly-formed Southampton Gay Community Network, said: "Support services available to victims of crime may not meet the needs of victims of homophobic crime. This new survey would audit what services are available locally and how well they met the needs of the gay community.

"It is not just minor crime that goes unreported.

"Local unpublished data shows that in Southampton less than half of homophobically-motivated incidents of rape, blackmail and theft are reported to the police."

Inspector Brian Hills, of Hampshire police community support unit, said: "Lesbian and gay people have the right to report homophobic crime with the confidence that their needs will be met in a sensitive way.

"By working across agencies, we can ensure that we offer a co-ordinated response and reinforce the message that homophobic crime will not be tolerated."

Reports of homophobic harassment can be made by calling 023 8033 3619 (24-hour answerphone).